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Edmonton Firefighters Raise Funds for Muscular Dystrophy Canada — Featuring Dr. Toshifumi Yokota
Edmonton Firefighters Raise Funds for Muscular Dystrophy Canada — Featuring Dr. Toshifumi Yokota
19 February 2026
We are grateful to the Edmonton firefighters who braved freezing winter temperatures during the annual rooftop “Fridge Campout” to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, collecting over $71,000 to support research and services for individuals living with neuromuscular diseases.
The CityNews Edmonton coverage of this inspiring community initiative features an interview with Dr. Toshifumi Yokota, University of Alberta Distinguished Professor and Muscular Dystrophy Canada Endowed Research Chair, who highlights the importance of continued research efforts to develop new therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other rare neuromuscular disorders.
Community-driven fundraising events such as this play an essential role in advancing research and improving the lives of patients and families affected by these diseases.
Congratulations to doctoral student Harry Wilton-Clark!
11 December 2025
Congratulations to doctoral student Harry Wilton-Clark for winning Third Prize at the global Falling Walls Lab competition in Berlin. Harry was selected from an international field of emerging researchers and innovators, and his presentation highlighted our lab’s work on innovative therapies for rare neuromuscular diseases.
We are very proud of Harry’s achievement and his outstanding representation of the University of Alberta and the Yokota Lab on the global stage.
Harry Wilton-Clark (Yokota Lab, University of Alberta) – First Place Winner at Falling Walls Lab Edmonton 2025 🎉
4 September 2025
In just three minutes, Harry presents his groundbreaking research on antisense oligonucleotide therapies for rare neuromuscular diseases, including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His talk, “Breaking the Wall of Rare Disease Therapies,” earned him first place and the chance to represent Edmonton on the global stage at the Falling Walls Lab Finale in Berlin.
👏 Congratulations, Harry – your work is shaping the future of rare disease treatments!
Yokota Lab Recognized in Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s 2025 Neuromuscular Research Grant Announcement
24 April, 2025
The Yokota Lab is proud to be recognized in Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s (MDC) 2025 Neuromuscular Research Grant Announcement, which spotlights leading research efforts to improve the lives of individuals affected by neuromuscular disorders across Canada.
During the announcement held in April 2025, MDC highlighted funded research projects with the potential to drive meaningful clinical impact. The Yokota Lab was honored for its work on spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) and Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) — two rare neuromuscular diseases for which new therapeutic options are urgently needed.
Life Sciences – Finale Pitch Night Dr. Toshifumi Yokota captured First Place at the Life Sciences Finale Pitch Night
Life Sciences – Finale Pitch Night Dr. Toshifumi Yokota captured First Place at the Life Sciences Finale Pitch Night
14 March 2024
In this highly competitive event, Dr. Yokota’s pitch showcased innovative RNA-based therapies for neuromuscular diseases, highlighting the translational potential of our lab’s work from bench to bedside. His compelling presentation and clear vision for impact convinced the judges and secured the top spot.
FSHD 101 Webinar – In Celebration of #WorldFSHDDay
30 June 2021
In recognition of #WorldFSHDDay, we hosted an FSHD 101 webinar in June 2021. This introductory session covers the fundamentals of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), including:
What FSHD is and how it develops
Key symptoms and early warning signs
Diagnostic approaches and prognosis
Current management and treatment options
Emerging research and future therapeutic directions
Join us to gain a clear, accessible overview of FSHD and ongoing efforts to improve care and develop new therapies.
Exon Skipping and Genome Editing: Emerging Therapies for DMD – Talk by Dr. Toshifumi Yokota
30 November 2019
Dr. Toshifumi Yokota was invited to speak at the Jesse’s Journey Family Forum in Calgary, Canada, delivering a presentation titled “Exon Skipping and Genome Editing – Emerging Therapies for DMD.”
In this talk, Dr. Yokota outlined the latest advances in exon-skipping antisense oligonucleotides and genome editing approaches for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), highlighting how these strategies aim to restore dystrophin expression and improve outcomes for patients. The session provided families, clinicians, and researchers with an accessible overview of current therapeutic pipelines and future directions in DMD treatment.
This presentation reflects our lab’s ongoing commitment to translating cutting-edge genetic technologies into meaningful therapies for individuals living with DMD..
Spotlight on Innovation: Joshua Lee Shines in 3-Minute Thesis Competitions
30 November 2015
Yokota Lab student Joshua Lee captured 1st place at the University of Alberta’s 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition and went on to earn 2nd place in Western Canada in April 2015. His clear and engaging presentation on innovative neuromuscular disease research later took him to the international stage at the Falling Walls 3-Minute Thesis Competition Final in Berlin, Germany (November 2015).
🎥 Watch Joshua’s compelling Falling Walls 3MT presentation and see how he distilled complex science into a powerful three-minute story.
Cell Membrane Repair Assay Using a Two-Photon Laser Microscope – JoVE Publication
1 February 2018
A study from the Yokota Lab describing an advanced method to evaluate cell membrane repair was published in the Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE).
In this work, Lee J.J.A., Maruyama R., Sakurai H., and Yokota T. present a detailed protocol for performing a cell membrane repair assay using a two-photon laser microscope, enabling precise induction and visualization of membrane injury and repair dynamics in living cells. This technique provides an important experimental tool for studying muscle cell biology and membrane repair mechanisms, which are critical processes in many neuromuscular diseases.
Reference:
Lee JJA, Maruyama R, Sakurai H, Yokota T.
Cell membrane repair assay using a two-photon laser microscope.
Journal of Visualized Experiments. 2018;131:e56999.
Evaluating Splice-Switching ASOs in SMA Patient Fibroblasts – JoVE Protocol
11 May 2018
A Yokota Lab study detailing how to measure antisense oligonucleotide–induced exon inclusion in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patient cells was published in the Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE).
In this article, Maruyama R., Touznik A., and Yokota T. describe a step-by-step protocol for assessing exon 7 inclusion in SMN2 transcripts in SMA patient fibroblasts following treatment with splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). This visual protocol provides a practical platform for evaluating ASO activity in clinically relevant patient-derived cells and supports the development of improved SMA therapies.
Reference:
Maruyama R, Touznik A, Yokota T.
Evaluation of exon inclusion induced by splice switching antisense oligonucleotides in SMA patient fibroblasts.
Journal of Visualized Experiments. 2018;135:e57530.
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