Genetic Breakthrough

Dr. Robert Korneluk, a principal investigator in the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network, played a major role in the discovery of the genetic cause of myotonic muscular dystrophy. One of the most common inherited neuromuscular diseases, myotonic dystrophy affects about one in every 7,000 persons in Canada. Dr. Korneluk, whose Network research centre is based at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, led the five-year scientific search in collaboration with an international team from the Netherlands, Great Britain and the United States. According to Dr. Korneluk, the fast exchange of information within the Network helped accelerate the cloning of the gene. The Network has also allowed his team to move rapidly into the next important stages of this discovery: determining the characteristics of the gene; developing new diagnostic technologies; and exploring therapeutic opportunities.

For more information please visit the CGDN Web site.