Yokota Lab
Discover, optimize, and translate new therapies for muscular dystrophy and rare diseases
Research
The research group led by Dr. Toshifumi (Toshi) Yokota, PhD, FCAHS is dedicated to advancing knowledge and developing treatments for muscular dystrophy and rare diseases. The goal of their research is to improve the lives of individuals affected by devastating genetic disorders through the use of cutting-edge therapeutics such as CRISPR-mediated genome editing and RNA-targeted antisense oligonucleotides. Currently, the team is actively working on several projects in this field.
1. Next-Gen Therapeutics for Rare Diseases
The research group is devoted to developing innovative therapeutics for rare diseases, with a specific focus on several devastating genetic disorders. These disorders include Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD), facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), giant axonal neuropathy (GAN), fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), and dysferlin-deficient muscular dystrophy, which encompasses limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B/R2 (LGMD2B/R2), Miyoshi myopathy, and distal myopathy with anterior tibial onset.
2. Role of Aquaporins in Muscle and Brain
The goal of this project is to investigate the function of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4), a water channel that is specifically expressed in fast-twitch skeletal muscle fibres and the brain. However, it has been observed that the expression of AQP4 is significantly reduced in patients with muscular dystrophy. Despite its known presence in these tissues, the physiological role of AQP4 remains poorly understood. The aim of this project is to gain a better understanding of the role of water channels in muscles and brains through characterization of AQP4.
Last updated: 19 April 2024
