Research at MSMRC
Research at MSMRC strives to make significant advances towards the prediction, prevention, and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Institute scientists, with expertise in immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, muscle health and neurological disorders collaborate in teams using a think-tank approach on joint projects to address recurrence, muscle weakness, fatigue, and neurological disorders in people with MS. Our hope is that our research will reduce the effects of MS and improve patients’ quality of life by designing new treatments and cures for the devastating consequences of MS.
MS is an autoimmune disease. At MSMRC there are scientists who have decades of experience in research designed to understand how the body’s immune system causes autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (Marcondes and Davies) and type 1 diabetes (Davies). There are many similarities and differences in the cellular pathways that cause these diseases. By working together, these scientists will compare and contrast the diseases in the hopes of finding new information that is relevant to MS.
The immune cells that play a critical role in causing MS are T cells, B cells and macrophages. At MSMNRC there are scientists who have a deep understanding of how these cells work under different conditions. Scientists who work on T cells (Marcondes and Davies and macrophages (Marcondes) will study how these cells interact with each other and with the nerve fibers of the CNS to cause MS.
Neurological disorders are common in people with MS and can include memory loss and confusion. The Marcondes research group study cellular and molecular pathways that lead to MS.
People with MS experience profound fatigue and muscle weakness. The Davies group conducts research to prevent muscle weakness in patients with cancer and are investigating whether there is potential overlap between the mechanisms that cause muscle fatigue and weakness in people with MS.
The function of any cell, including immune cells, is the result of a complicated series of molecular and biochemical events that take place inside the cell. Molecular biology experts at MSMRC (ElShamy and Samad) work together to understand how the regulation of molecules inside immune cells has changed in people with MS. MSMRC scientists who are specialists in biochemistry (Binley) provide critical insight into biochemical changes that take place in the structure and function of immune cells in people with MS compared to healthy people.