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Francina Munell Casadesus

Institutions of which they are part

Main researcher
Therapeutics and Innovations in Neuropediatrics and other paediatric rare diseases
Vall Hebron Institut de Recerca

Francina Munell Casadesus

Institutions of which they are part

Main researcher
Therapeutics and Innovations in Neuropediatrics and other paediatric rare diseases
Vall Hebron Institut de Recerca

Research lines

Pediatric Neuromuscular Disorders

1. DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY (DMD)

THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF ESTROGENS IN DMD, EFFECTS AND MECHANISMS OF ACTION ON SATELLITE CELLS AND MACROPHAGES

We have found that estradiol has beneficial effects on myogenesis and inflammation. We aim to characterize the estradiol effects on satellite cells and their interaction with macrophages and the ability of estrogens to increase the efficiency of cell therapy based on satellite cell transplant to restore the expression of dystrophin in the dystrophic muscle in vivo.


IN VITRO TESTING OF GENE THERAPIES TO REPAIR DYSTROPHIN IN HUMAN MYOBLASTS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NANIOPARTICLES FOR MUSCLE DELIVERY

Compounds with readthrough activity are currently used for DMD patients with nonsense mutations with highly variable results. We are testing the efficacy of several drugs with read-through action (PTC124, RTC14, RTC13, Geneticin) to restore protein levels in myoblasts and differentiated myotubes obtained from DMD patients carrying nonsense mutations with variable codon composition and different location.

We are testing the possibility to use modified nanopaticles for muscle delivery of specific drugs.


2. USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR DIAGNOSTIC OPTIMISATION IN INHERITED MYOPATHIES

We used exome capture and massive sequencing technologies for the diagnosis of patients with neuromuscular disorders, to deliver a proof-of-concept of the superior diagnostic accuracy, speed and costeffectiveness of these novel technologies over current approaches.

IP: Francina Munell Casadesus

Projects

Distrofia muscular congénita tipo 1A: inhibición de la fibrosis y corrección mediante edición génica

IP: -
Collaborators: Laura Costa Comellas, Francina Munell Casadesus, Maria Pallares Masmitja, David Gómez Andrés, Rocío Piñera Moreno
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 117370
Reference: PI22/01027
Duration: 01/01/2023 - 30/06/2027

Neurologia infantil

IP: Alfons Macaya Ruíz
Collaborators: Laia Ventura i Expósito, Belen Perez Dueñas, Laura Costa Comellas, Francina Munell Casadesus, Anna Marcé Grau, Miquel Raspall Chaure, Mireia Del Toro Riera, Julia Sala Coromina, Ana Felipe Rucián, Neurologia infantil, David Gómez Andrés, Amaia Lasa Aranzasti, Lucy Dougherty de Miguel
Funding agency: Agència Gestió Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca
Funding: 0.01
Reference: 2021 SGR 01171
Duration: 01/01/2022 - 30/06/2025

Desarrollo de una nueva estrategia de terapia génica y adecuación de una cohorte de pacientes para ensayos clínicos en distrofia muscular congénita por déficit de merosina

IP: -
Collaborators: Francina Munell Casadesus, Esther Toro Tamargo
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 139150
Reference: PI19/00295
Duration: 01/01/2020 - 30/06/2024

Improved diagnostic output in large sarcomeric genes

IP: Francina Munell Casadesus
Collaborators: -
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding:
Reference: ISCIII/AC/ERA-NET/EJPRD/MUNELL
Duration: 13/11/2019 - 13/11/2019

Related news

The project’s 4th annual meeting was recently held as part of the Fortalece–Salud programme of the Carlos III Health Institute.

Over the course of one week, it will host in-person assessments for 35 families to better understand the progression of the disease and contribute to the development of new therapies.

The event focused on advances in disease-modifying therapies and on the value of alliances between patients and professionals to promote more participatory care and research.

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