NATA’s Research Scientist, Dr Joanna Parkes received an award from Cure JM Foundation for ‘Investigating potential nucleic acid therapies for JDM’
NATA is proud to announce that one of our Biology Research Scientists, Dr Joanna Parkes has recently received a Cure JM Foundation Research Award for her excellence in investigating potential nucleic acid therapies for Juvenile Dermatomyositis. NATA is proud to announce that one of our Biology Research Scientists, Dr Joanna Parkes has recently received a Cure JM Foundation Research Award for her excellence in investigating potential nucleic acid therapies for Juvenile Dermatomyositis.
The Cure JM Foundation is a non-profit and voluntary organisation managed by families and friends of patients with juvenile myositis. Juvenile myositis is a rare autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own cells and tissues. Juvenile myositis affects each child differently, but usually it results in significant and sometimes severe weakness and persistent rash. Since the cause of JM remains unknown, the primary treatments for JM are steroids and immunosuppressant, which are imperfect. Therefore, Cure JM offers grant fundings for clinicians and researchers who are working to improve juvenile myositis care and research. The Cure JM Foundation is a non-profit and voluntary organisation managed by families and friends of patients with juvenile myositis. Juvenile myositis is a rare autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own cells and tissues. Juvenile myositis affects each child differently, but usually it results in significant and sometimes severe weakness and persistent rash. Since the cause of JM remains unknown, the primary treatments for JM are steroids and immunosuppressant, which are imperfect. Therefore, Cure JM offers grant fundings for clinicians and researchers who are working to improve juvenile myositis care and research.
Innovative Contribution
Dr Joanna Parkes, Research scientist at NATA – Nucleic Acid Therapy Accelerator, is recognised for the pioneering work on investigating the potential NAT for JDM. Dr Parkes comes from a background in genetics and immunology with a particular research focus on musculoskeletal disease. She spent two years on a The Myositis Association postdoctoral fellowship researching the role of innate immune and metabolic pathways in mediating muscle weakness in myositis at Binghamton University mentored by Prof Kanneboyina Nagaraju.
Recently, Dr Parkes was awarded $121,040 by Cure JM Foundation to lead a project synthesising and evaluating novel nucleic acid therapies for a target in adult and juvenile dermatomyositis.
Dr Joanna Parkes said:
“I’m grateful to Cure JM for this opportunity to combine my background in myositis research with the nucleic acid therapeutics expertise we have at NATA.”
“Development of novel therapies for adult and juvenile dermatomyositis is sorely needed and I’m excited by the potential of NATs to treat these conditions.”
With her work and dedication to improving the lives of children and adults affected by juvenile dermatomyositis, Dr Joanna Parkes exemplifies NATA's commitment to advancing nucleic acid therapies and making an impact within the rare disease community. Her pioneering research and recent recognition by the Cure JM Foundation showcased NATA's dedication to enhancing nucleic acid therapies for rare diseases like juvenile dermatomyositis. As NATA continues to strive for excellence, Dr Parkes' work stands as an inspiration to us all, driving us forward in our mission to advance the development of nucleic acid therapies and associated technologies through high-quality science, collaborations and interdisciplinary research.
About CureJM
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