Muscular Dystrophy

Pumped-up muscle tissue (in blue) in a high performing "mighty mouse"

Science

Researchers create "mighty mouse" with gene tweak that doubles muscle strength

Researchers have been able to double muscle strength and endurance in mice and worms through a single genetic tweak.

Muscle cells of untreated mice with muscular dystrophy (left) show little utrophin in cell walls while those of mice treated with biglycan (right) have accumulated the protein (Credit: Fallon Lab/Brown University)

Health & Wellbeing

Human protein may help muscular dystrophy patients

The human protein biglycan significantly slows muscle damage and improves function in mice with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by causing utrophin, a natural muscle-building protein prevalent in young children, to collect in muscle cell membranes.

The no longer wheelchair-bound Hayden Allen puts REX through its paces

Robotics

REX robotic exoskeleton gets wheelchair users back on their feet

REX is a robotic exoskeleton that puts wheelchair users back on their feet, enabling a person to stand, walk and go up and down stairs and slopes.