Hannah Lupton, MS

Saint Louis University (SLU)

Previously, the Sverdrup lab discovered a link between the p38 MAPK protein and the DUX4 gene, the regulator of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Inhibition of p38 led to a significant decrease in DUX4 levels and levels of DUX4 target mRNA. However, traditional inhibition of p38 as a treatment for FSHD is challenging for a number of reasons, including adverse effects from global inhibition. One interesting strategy for FSHD treatment is PROTACs, which induce degradation of the target protein. My current research focuses on designing and evaluating p38 isoform-specific PROTACs for the treatment of p38-linked diseases, like FSHD.