Last month, Prof. Francesco Saverio Tedesco presented the MAGIC Project at the prestigious American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) Annual Meeting in Baltimore, USA. This event, well known for gathering leading professionals in gene and cell therapy, serves as a hub for the latest scientific advancements, emerging technologies, and networking opportunities.

Engineering Human Skeletal Muscle for Advanced Modelling

During his presentation titled ‘Engineering Human Skeletal Muscle for Advanced Modelling of Neuromuscular Diseases and Therapeutics,’ Prof. Tedesco delved into the innovative approaches and significant implications of the MAGIC Project. The project aims to revolutionise the understanding and treatment of neuromuscular diseases by engineering human skeletal muscle tissue models to develop and test genetic therapies and related viral vectors.

Prof. Tedesco gave an overview of their muscle bioengineering platforms and then focused on new data on their use in LMNA-related congenital muscular dystrophy (one of the target diseases of MAGIC), including a novel gene editing strategy for this condition, alongside collaborative work done in MAGIC for other target diseases (such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy). He then presented pilot data generated by his team for gene therapy vector testing using muscle 3D models.

About ASGCT

The American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT), a professional non-profit medical and scientific organisation based in Milwaukee, is dedicated to the development and application of gene, cell, and nucleic acid therapies. ASGCT also emphasises the promotion of both professional and public education on gene therapy. The Annual Meeting stands as the premier event in the field, offering a platform for professionals to engage with the latest research, advancements, and connections.