Creating a human muscle tissue model for LGMD2B
Official title: Engineering a Human Skeletal Muscle Tissue Model of LGMD2B
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10903900 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a special 3D model of human muscle to help us learn more about limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B (LGMD2B) and test new treatments, using muscle cells from both healthy people and those with the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $501,861 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR082979-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903900 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B (LGMD2B) or those who are carriers of dysferlin mutations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of muscular dystrophy or unrelated muscle disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a 3D human skeletal muscle tissue model to better understand and investigate limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B (LGMD2B), a condition caused by mutations in the dysferlin gene. By using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from both healthy individuals and LGMD2B patients, the researchers will create muscle tissues that mimic the disease's characteristics. This model will allow for patient-specific studies and drug testing, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches. The project focuses on replicating the muscle's structural and functional features, including how it handles calcium and lipids, which are crucial for muscle health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that slow the progression of LGMD2B or improve patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on muscular dystrophies, this specific approach of creating a 3D human muscle model for LGMD2B is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bursac, Nenad — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Bursac, Nenad
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.