Genetic clues to mouth muscles development in SMA
Official title: Genetic characterization of MesV sensory cells in normal development and in the neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11356582 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small NIH grant studies how nerve cells controlling jaw movements develop normally and how this process goes wrong in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $329,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DE036052-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11356582 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for SMA or related orofacial motor vulnerabilities, particularly adults or young adults who can contribute samples or participate in related observational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without SMA or related orofacial motor issues may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the facial muscles and their sensory nerves mature from infancy to early childhood, focusing on the masseter muscle used for chewing. It explores whether early electrical connections between nerve cells and sensors help the transition from sucking to chewing, and how these connections may be disrupted in SMA. The work combines genetic and developmental approaches to understand normal patterns and disease-related changes in a specific brainstem region called MesV. The findings could reveal targets for therapies that protect or improve feeding-related movements in people with SMA. The study is conducted using human-relevant development timelines and aims to translate basic insights into future patient-focused options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new strategies to preserve or restore safe eating and chewing in people with SMA.
How similar studies have gone: Past research has shown that sensory-mmotor circuits can mature in predictable sequences, but this project investigates a specific developmental mechanism with potential novelty.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Florez Paz, Danny Mauricio — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Florez Paz, Danny Mauricio
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Therapeutic gene editing for spinal muscular atrophy
A patient-facing look at a project that aims to test a gene-editing approach to help children with spinal muscular atrophy.
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SMN-independent approaches for spinal muscular atrophy
This project looks for new treatments for people with spinal muscular atrophy that work without relying only on restoring the SMN protein.
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How RNA problems cause nerve and muscle damage in spinal muscular atrophy
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Investigating speech development in children with spinal muscular atrophy after new therapies
This study is looking at how new treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) can help improve speech and communication skills in children and young adults aged 2 to 21, by comparing their speech abilities to what’s expected for their age.
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Correcting Genetic Errors for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
This research looks for new ways to fix the genetic problem that causes Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a condition that weakens muscles.
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Gene editing to treat spinal muscular atrophy
This study is working on a new gene editing treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to see how well it can help improve muscle strength and overall health, especially for infants affected by this condition.
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.