This is the first update of my report on exon skipping, originally published on the 30th of April 2009. Exon skipping is the most advanced genetic technique for an effective therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, It is one of my many reports which I, Günter Scheuerbrandt, a biochemist in Germany, am writing for you, the Duchenne boys and young men, their families and care givers, who wish to know how the research work of many scientists and clinicians is progressing. All my reports and this one too, are not scientific publications with many difficult words, because I have tried to write them in a way that will let you understand what is happening for you in the laboratories even if you have not studied modern biochemistry and genetics.

This text on exon skipping is the first part of the entire report about all research approaches for a therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The remaining parts will be published during the next months. They will each contain the latest news on several other therapeutic approaches like the transfer of the dystrophin gene into muscle cells, the use of stem cells, the upregulation of utrophin, and on a number of other pharmacological methods.

Dr.Günter Scheuerbrandt, a biochemist from Germany, has compiled this report on 'Research approaches for a Therapy of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy'. MDA-India expresses its sincere thanks to Dr.Scheuerbrandt for having shared the report with us and allowing us to publish it on our website.