Friday, 12 September 2025
Scientists at the University of Nottingham will look at why a type of genetic message, called RNA, gets stuck inside the control centre (nucleus) of cells in people with myotonic dystrophy, which could help uncover new ways to treat the condition in the future.
The research has been made possible thanks to funding from Muscular Dystrophy UK.
The charity has announced that its investing £2 million into 13 new pioneering research projects across England and Northern Ireland, including funding the four-year project at the University of Nottingham.
The leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK, living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions, will be funding the new project that hopes to gain a better understanding of myotonic dystrophy, a genetic condition that typically affects the skeletal muscles, which are used for movement.
The project, led by Professor David Brook, from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham, will investigate why a type of genetic message, called RNA, gets stuck inside the control centre (nucleus) of cells in people with myotonic dystrophy. They believe tiny tags added to the RNA may be causing this problem. By investigating these tiny tags, they hope to understand what’s going wrong.
I am very grateful to Muscular Dystrophy UK for this award. It will help us to work out which factors prevent the degradation of the mutant RNA that causes myotonic dystrophy and provide training for an excellent PhD student.”
Professor David Brook, School of Life Sciences
Kate Adcock, Director of Research and Innovation at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “We’re proud to be increasing our investment in research year after year – reaching new areas, exploring more conditions, and supporting a growing community of scientists. Our latest funding at the University of Nottingham reflects that ambition, supporting research that could pave the way for treatments for myotonic dystrophy, while also helping to train the next generation through a dedicated PhD student.”
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia – part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner – locally and globally – and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK’s top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.