Behind the scenes with an award winning MND researcher
Related topics
Dr Rubika Balendra of University College London received the European Network to Cure ALS Young Investigator Award for her research into motor neurone disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia. Her work focuses on how mutations in the C9orf72 gene produce abnormal proteins that may damage nerve cells. She reported that these proteins bind to about 600 RNA molecules in human cells, including a specific RNA sequence that affects their behaviour in laboratory experiments.
Why this matters
The findings may help researchers understand how C9orf72-related MND and frontotemporal dementia develop and identify possible treatment targets. The work was conducted in human cells, stem-cell-derived motor neurons and fruit flies, so it does not yet change treatment for people with MND.
Limitations and context
This is an organisational interview and research profile, not a published clinical trial report. The reported findings are from laboratory and fruit-fly models, and the source does not provide study numbers, independent review or evidence of benefit in people. Further research would be needed to show whether the mechanism can be safely targeted and improve outcomes in patients.