Margarida Maia, PhD,  science writer—

Margarida is a biochemist (University of Porto, Portugal) with a PhD in biomedical sciences (VIB and KULeuven, Belgium). Her main interest is science communication. She is also passionate about design and the dialogue between art and science.

Articles by Margarida Maia

School-age SMA children more independent on Spinraza: Study

After Spinraza (nusinersen) treatment for slightly longer than one year, school-aged children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) showed improved motor function and more independence in tasks involving their arms and hands, a study from China has found. These motor function improvements were linked to reduced symptoms of anxiety…

SMA gene therapy GC101 found safe, effective in animals

Gene therapy GC101 was found to rescue disease manifestations in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 3 and to be safe in non-human primates, supporting its move into clinical testing. Genecradle Therapeutics is sponsoring ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trials in SMA type 1 (NCT05824169),…

HapSMA test can help ID genetic changes affecting SMA: Study

Testing patient DNA with advanced methods like HapSMA — which can “[analyze] … SMN and its surrounding genes” — can reveal otherwise undetectable genetic changes, such as gene conversion, that affect how severe spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is, according to a study by researchers in the Netherlands. These novel…

Switching SMA treatments in UK based on practical needs: Study

Children living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in the U.K. can switch treatments based on practical needs and preferences without experiencing unexpected disease progression, according to a study that drew on data from the SMA REACH UK database. “The availability of treatments in the United Kingdom has fundamentally…

Mitochondria is a potential target for SMA treatment: Study

The parts of cells that produce energy, called mitochondria, in the skeletal muscles involved in voluntary movements don’t work properly in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and may contribute to the disease’s symptoms, a study in mice and cells suggests. Engaging mice in a single session of exercise or adding…