Sanford-Burnham research on muscular dystrophy
Dr. Engvall, in collaboration with medical, veterinary and basic research colleagues, is establishing a center for muscular dystrophy in San Diego. The center will encompass research into the underlying biology as well as clinical treatment of humans and animals suffering from muscular dystrophy. Dogs and cats are susceptible to forms of muscular dystrophy that parallel human conditions more closely than those of more typical laboratory animals such as mice. Dr. Engvall is working closely with a veterinary pathologist to define the disease mechanisms (associated with each form) of muscular dystrophy, so that accurate diagnoses, prognoses and treatment strategies can be developed.