Theripio Innovations (the startup)
**What it means:** Theripio Innovations is the **startup company** founded by Dr. Christopher Cowan at MUSC to commercialize the MEF2C RNA therapeutic platform. In drug development, when academic rese...
Explainers
Plain-English explanations of MEF2C research terms, concepts, and scientific mechanisms.
Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Penetrance
The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) is like a **military checkpoint** between your bloodstream and your brain. It's made of tightly packed cells with no gaps — designed to keep toxins out. But it also keeps...
Preclinical Update (in gene therapy context)
**What it means:** "Preclinical" means research done **before human trials begin** — in cell cultures (in vitro) and animal models (in vivo). A "preclinical update" means the researchers have complete...
Phase 1a/b Clinical Trial
**What the phases mean:** - **Phase 1a:** First-in-human testing. The primary goal is **safety** — "Is this drug safe in humans at all?" A small group of patients receives escalating doses to find the...