Joana Carvalho, PhD, managing science editor —

Joana holds a bachelor’s in biology, a Master of Science in evolutionary and developmental biology, and a PhD in biomedical sciences from Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal. Her work has been focused on the impact of non-canonical Wnt signaling in the collective behavior of endothelial cells — those that make up the lining of blood vessels — found in the umbilical cord of newborns. In addition to several research fellowships, she was awarded two Erasmus scholarships to conduct part of her studies in France.

Articles by Joana Carvalho

ALS Mouse Study Finds Favor in Muse Stem Cells

Injecting a specific type of stem cells into the bloodstream was able to reduce muscle shrinkage and promote motor neuron survival in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study found. According to investigators, the findings indicate these stem cells, known as multi-lineage differentiating stress enduring (Muse)…

FDA, in Initial Review of NurOwn for ALS, Finds Data Lacking

Existing safety and effectiveness data from a Phase 3 clinical trial of NurOwn — an investigational cell-based therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — are not sufficient to support the therapy’s approval, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded in an initial review. According to the…

Moderate Physical Activity May Slow Muscle Deterioration

Moderate physical activity may slow muscle deterioration associated with the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), improving patients’ ability to perform daily life activities, a review study has found. This type of therapeutic exercise also slowed lung function decline, but did not prolong survival, suggesting this form of physical…

Extension Study Will Continue Evaluating Oral Edaravone

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America (MTPA) has launched an extension study to assess the long-term effects of an investigational oral formulation of edaravone (MT-1186) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “As a company, we strive to always put patients first in our efforts to understand this debilitating…