Posts by: Marisa Wexler, MS

Marisa Wexler, MS

Marisa holds an MS in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. She specializes in cancer biology, immunology, and genetics. Marisa began working with BioNews in 2018, and has written about science and health for SelfHacked and the Genetics Society of America. She also writes/composes musicals and coaches the University of Pittsburgh fencing club.

April 20, 2020April 20, 2020

Problems in Lipid Metabolism Linked to Motor Neuron Disease in Early Study

News

Changes in the metabolism of a class of fat molecules called sphingolipids may be a cause of motor neuron diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study reports. Targeting ... Read more

April 2, 2020April 2, 2020

MDA Hosting Online Q&A on COVID-19 Today

News

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is hosting an online Q&A session today to discuss the best ways that people with neuromuscular diseases might protect themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... Read more

March 18, 2020March 18, 2020

Stimulating Muscle Cells May Help to Repair Motor Neurons

News

Muscle cell activity helps to promote motor nerve cell repair after injury, scientists found in using a device to model motor neuron and muscle cell interaction. They believe this ... Read more

March 11, 2020March 11, 2020

Oxidative Stress May Be Therapy Target in ALS, Study of Skin Cells Suggests

News

Skin cells from people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have altered metabolisms and increased levels of a type of cellular stress called oxidative stress, a new study shows. This ... Read more

March 9, 2020March 23, 2020

Study Finds Differences in Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics in ALS

News

There are differences in the way the fluid around the brain and spinal cord moves in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and understanding these could have implications for ... Read more

March 6, 2020March 9, 2020

Editing of SOD1 Gene Slows ALS Progression in Mice, Study Finds

News

A gene editing technology based on CRISPR was able to slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a mouse model, a new study showed, demonstrating the approach’s potential for ... Read more

March 4, 2020March 4, 2020

Fish Model of ALS Links TDP-43 Protein Clumping to Motor Neuron Ills

News

A zebrafish model that reproduces key amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) symptoms and characteristics, including protein clumping, when exposed to blue light could aid in understanding disease mechanisms and in ... Read more

March 2, 2020March 2, 2020

Astrocytes in Nervous System Seen to Protect Motor Neurons from Toxicity of Clumps

News

Astrocytes — cells of the nervous system cell that provide support to neurons — were seen to help protect motor neurons from damage caused by toxic protein clumps in a cell ... Read more

February 27, 2020February 27, 2020

Monkeys on Neurotoxic Diet May Be New Animal Model for ALS Research

News

A neurotoxic amino acid called β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) fed to vervet monkeys caused damage to the spinal cord similar to what is seen in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), potentially making them a ... Read more

February 24, 2020February 25, 2020

C9ORF72 Mutations Disrupt Cellular RNA and Protein Processing, Study Finds

News

Mutations in the C9ORF72 gene, the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), lead to changes in how cells process ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein, a new study ... Read more

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