Early stage research

In addition to our funding decisions, we have also been working closely with several other Duchenne charities in the hope that by collaborating we can all reach our common goal sooner.

Duchenne Forum

The partnership established between the Duchenne Research Fund, Muscular Dystrophy UK, Alex’s Wish, the Duchenne Children’s Trust, Joining Jack and Harrison’s Fund – called the Duchenne Forum – will accelerate progress in the search for effective treatments and eventually cures. The Forum aims to contribute up to £840,000 over the next four years to fund several pioneering Duchenne research projects.

Together the six charities have helped fund the following projects: Professor Dame Kay Davies, University of Oxford: ‘Developing small molecules to target Duchenne muscular dystrophy’; Professor George Dickson, Royal Holloway University, London: ‘Developing gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy’; Professor Jennifer Morgan, University College, London: ‘Altering the muscle environment to influence stem cell behaviour’; Dr Angela Russell, University of Oxford: ‘Developing small molecules to increase utrophin levels for Duchenne muscular dystrophy’; Professor Mathew Wood, University of Oxford: ‘Discovering biomarkers for Duchenne muscular dystrophy’; Professor George Dickson, Royal Holloway University, London: ‘Genome surgery for Duchenne muscular dystrophy’; Dr Francesco Saverio Tedesco, University College London: A pioneering 4-year project seeking to repair the stem cells of people with muscular dystrophy and use them to repair and replace lost muscle; Professor David Abbott Bristol University: Quality of life survey; Professor Jenny Morgan, University College, London: Investigating the biological process that leads to muscle fibre death