Cecil B. Day Laboratory for
Neuromuscular Research
The Cecil B. Day Laboratory for Neuromuscular Research
was founded in 1983 to investigate genetic defects that
cause neuromuscular paralysis. The focus of the initial
investigations was a rare form of muscular dystrophy known
as Miyoshi myopathy. A second disease that has been extensively
studied in the Day Lab is Lou Gehrig's Disease, or amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS). Other research topics include
periodic paralysis, a sensory-motor neuropathy (HSN1) and
a form of adrenoleukodystrophy (Lorenzo's Oil Disease).
In each disease category, the initial research goal has
been to identify primary gene defects that can cause these
disorders. In each case, investigators in the Day Laboratory
have been fortunate to participate in the discovery of
underlying gene defects. The laboratory is now generating
animal and Petri dish models of each disease as a first
step toward developing treatments.
