Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Marisa holds a Master of Science in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. Her areas of expertise include cancer biology, immunology, and genetics, and she has worked as a science writing and communications intern for the Genetics Society of America.

Articles by Marisa Wexler

Researchers develop cheap, simple SMA screening test

Researchers have developed a new spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) screening method that’s quick, inexpensive, and easy to use with standard lab equipment. The team described their method in a paper, “A rapid and easy-to-use spinal muscular atrophy screening tool based on primers with high specificity and amplification…

Mobility measures miss key ways SMA impacts patients: Study

Standardized measures to track the severity of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) don’t adequately capture aspects of the disease that have major impacts on patients and their families, such as fatigue and the need for medical appointments that can be challenging to schedule, a study reports. “This study provides very…

Inflammatory signaling molecules may predict response to Spinraza

In people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treated with Spinraza (nusinersen), levels of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules tend to decrease while levels of anti-inflammatory signaling molecules tend to increase in the months after starting treatment, a study has found. Findings also suggested that changes in certain inflammation-regulating molecules may…