Dr. Teepu Siddique’s Research Group Discovers a New Gene Responsible for Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
By Dr. A. Khan
Chicago, IL: Dr. Teepu Siddique’s research group has identified a new gene which plays an integral part in the motor neuron disease (MND). Dr. Sidduque’s group found unique mistakes in a gene called UBQLN2, which codes for a protein called ubiquilin 2, in five families with the inherited form of ALS. The group’s findings suggest that this protein is found in both the inherited and sporadic form of MND, which means that this finding holds the key to finding a new treatment for MND. Dr Siddique’s group findings were published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature .
Dr. Teepu Siddique, an internationally recognized researcher, is a Professor of Neurology at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. His research group has been involved in studying disorders of the human neurodegeneration. The focus of its research has been the prototypic neurodegenerative disorders of the upper and lower motor neuron, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the spinal muscular atrophies (SMA) and familial spastic paraplegias (FSP). Such disorders affect both the upper and lower motor neuron (ALS), the lower motor neuron only (SMA) and primarily the upper motor neuron (FSP). Describing his research interests Dr. Teepu Siddique stated: “My interest is in understanding mechanism of disease. Our approach is gene discovery, animal and cell culture modeling and therapeutic application in disorders of the nervous system. My specific emphasis is on neurodegenerative conditions and those affecting the neuromuscular system. We have focused on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the spastic parapareses, primary lateral sclerosis and frontal-temporal lobe dementias as prototypic neurodegenerative disorders. We have identified several genes that cause these disorders and have made animal models to study their pathogenesis. In addition I collaborate with colleagues in the study of mitochondrial disorder of muscle and the peripheral neuropathies.”
Dr. Teepu Siddique graduated from Dow Medical College, University of Karachi, Pakistan (1973). He completed his internship at Perth Amboy General Hospital (1976), and residency at UMDNJ-University Hospital, Neurology (1979). Dr. Siddique has received numerous awards for his research work in neuromuscular disorders, especially amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease. He is the author of more than 200 journal articles, abstracts and book chapters.
