Congratulations to Dr Nan Zhang, as project co-applicant, succesfully granted a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) project titled Harnessing Gene Editing to Treat Rare Diseases such as Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).
Dr Nan Zhang, as a co-applicant, is closely working with Prof. Wenxin Wang from UCD Charles Institute of Dermatology, UCD School of Medicine on gene therapy for EB.
Problem
Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB) is a rare genetic skin fragility and blistering disorder in which no curative treatment currently exists with palliative care only in use.
Solution
Our proposed solution is to develop a gene editing curative treatment that can be applied topically to wound sites of RDEB patients.
This therapeutic approach will enable the permanent correction of the underlying mutations that give rise to RDEB, in a non-invasive manner.
Project Lead
Prof. Wenxin Wang, Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin
Project Co-applicant
Dr Nan Zhang, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University College Dublin
More information can be found from Science Foundation Ireland website here.