RNA Scientists Advance Early Detection of Duchene Muscular Dystrophy

Bijan Dey, at right, works pre-2020 in his lab with an RNA researcher and, at left, a student.

The devastating effects of Duchene muscular dystrophy (DMD) can be mitigated if detection takes place in early childhood. Sadly, early diagnosis is rare. Now, University RNA researchers have discovered a novel method that could solve this long-standing problem. The research team, from the UAlbany laboratories Professor Igor Lednev of Chemistry and Bijan Dey —a principal investigator of the RNA Institute and an associate faculty member of Biological Sciences, respectively— published its findings on July 16 in the journal Nature Scientific Reports. Their work promises a tool to improve the accuracy, ease and potential of an early diagnosis for DMD.