Jones Lab

Mission

To develop ground-breaking treatments for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) through the study of pathogenic mechanisms and the development of improved diagnostics.

Key areas of focus

  • Studying the biological processes that cause FSHD.
  • Creating model organisms such as fly, mouse and minipig.
  • Developing improved diagnostics to diagnose FSHD.
  • Inventing novel treatments including small molecule and CRISPR-inhibition gene therapy.

Lab team

Associate professor, Peter Jones, Ph.D., is an expert in epigenetics, gene regulation and biochemistry with an emphasis on facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. The Jones Lab is particularly interested in myogenic gene regulation and epigenetic processes that occur during development and disease. Using various model systems, the lab is currently developing and characterizing several new and novel FSHD-like mouse models as tools for preclinical testing of potential therapeutics.

  • Peter Jones, Ph.D.: Principal Investigator
  • Takako Jones, Ph.D.: Co-Principal Investigator
  • Charis L. Himeda, Ph.D.: Research Associate Professor
  • Ning Chang, Ph.D.: Postdoctoral Scholar
  • Ben Brittain, M.S.: Grad student
  • Monique Ramirez: Science Research Associate 2
  • Enrique Garcia: Science Research Associate 1
  • Brooke Eriksen: Science Research Associate 1

Notable research findings

  • Developed the most widely-used mouse model for FSHD preclinical research, the FLExDUX4 mouse.
  • Established the first large animal model for FSHD, the FLExDUX4 minipig.
  • Invented CRISPR-inhibition, a novel method for gene knockdown, for FSHD.
  • Pioneered an epigenetic diagnostic for FSHD1 and 2.

Active grants and research projects

  1. Accessible FSHD diagnostics through epigenetic analysis.
    • Award: 1R21AR080518
    • Funding organization: National Institute of Health (NIH)
  2. CRISPR-inhibition for FSHD.
    • Award: 1R01AR079884
    • Funding organization: National Institute of Health (NIH)
  3. Mechanisms of DUX4-mediated FSHD pathology.
    • Award: R01AR062587
    • Funding organization: National Institute of Health (NIH)
  4. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center (Seattle).
    • Award: 2P50AR065139
    • Funding organization: National Institute of Health (NIH)