WA Researcher Edits World-First Muscle Disease Book

December 8th, 2008 - Media Statement

One of Western Australia's top muscle disease researchers has taken on the role of editor for a pioneering text book which will be opened by students and budding researchers across the globe.

Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) Professor Nigel Laing, already the namesake of the muscle disorder 'Laing' myopathy after discovering its cause, has edited the international publication, "The Sarcomere and Skeletal Muscle Disease".

Released earlier this month, it is the first book to be published on sarcomereic muscle diseases - a unique group of diseases caused by mutations in the genes which control muscle contraction.

Professor Laing said he was approached to edit the text after US publishers Landes Bioscience read a review article about these diseases that he co-authored with fellow WAIMR researcher Dr Kristen Nowak.

"I'm honoured to be asked to take on this role. It's a great testament to WA's capability as our researchers were among the first in the world to discover this particular group of muscle diseases," he said.

Each chapter of the book has been written by a different expert from around the world and features the most up-to-date information on this group of muscle diseases.

"It will be an extremely useful resource and a very practical handbook for anyone interested in studying and learning about these diseases," said Professor Laing.

Dr Kristen Nowak contributed a chapter to the text book, as did international expert Professor Lars Larsson who is currently visiting WA.

On Friday November 28, Professor Larsson, Chair of the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology at Uppsala University in Sweden, will present to local scientists on 'Acute Quadriplegic Myopathy in ICU Patients' at Royal Perth Hospital.

WAIMR Director Professor Peter Klinken said the presentation would offer much to WA's scientific community.

"The seminar presents an amazing opportunity to listen to and learn from the world's foremost authority on this area of science and we are delighted that Professor Larsson has chosen to visit Perth," he said.

"I'm certain the knowledge he will impart will be of great value to our own experts and budding researchers in the field."

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