Creating a zebrafish model to study a genetic neuromuscular disease.

Generation and characterization of a Cre-Lox regulated transgenic zebrafish model of SBMA

NIH-funded research Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Med · NIH-10784254

This study is creating a special zebrafish model to help find new treatments for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a genetic disease that mainly affects men, so researchers can quickly test potential therapies in a way that's both fast and affordable.

Quick facts

Grant typeR03 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPhiladelphia College of Osteopathic Med NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10784254 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a genetic neuromuscular disease primarily affecting men. The team aims to develop a zebrafish model that can mimic the disease by using a specific genetic modification technique called Cre-Lox. This model will allow for rapid testing of potential therapies and drug compounds in a cost-effective manner, providing insights that could lead to new treatments for SBMA. The zebrafish's biological similarities to humans make it an ideal candidate for this type of research.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adult males diagnosed with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy.

Not a fit: Patients with other neuromuscular diseases or those not diagnosed with SBMA may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the identification of new therapeutic options for patients suffering from SBMA.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research using zebrafish models for other genetic diseases has shown promising results, indicating that this approach could be effective for SBMA as well.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.