AFM/Institut de Myologie
Association Francaise contre les Myopathies
AFM takes part in the development of scientific tools for the study of genetic and rare diseases in general, and provides scientists with new means and knowledge to accelerate our understanding of genetic diseases and open treatment avenues based on an understanding of the genes. AFM is dedicated to the development of an emerging science – myology (science and treatment of the muscle) and helping patients (multidisciplinary consultations; regional services; development of innovative technical aids; the annual conference of families and members). AFM played a leading role in the development of the French National Plan for Rare Diseases and the Institute for Rare Diseases, which is funding French and European research projects.
AFM is a founder member of the ENMC, EURORDIS and the EAMDA (European Alliance of Neuromuscular Disorders Associations).
AFM has created the Institut de Myologie (Myology Institute), a reference centre for international expertise on diseases, accidents and aging of muscles, intended for research, diagnosis, care and teaching programs, within the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital complex (Paris). The Myology Institute houses research teams, genetic diagnostic services, a neuromuscular clinical unit dedicated to both medical care and clinical trials (including gene therapy and cell therapy), biological repositories (DNA, tissues), neuromuscular disease clinical unit, Neuromuscular physiology assessment team, neuromuscular disease laboratory; MRI laboratory; physiopathology and striated muscle therapy INSERM unit U582; stem cell and muscle biology INSERM unit
AFM has also created Généthon, a research center dedicated to the understanding and treatment of neuromuscular diseases.
Website
http://www.institut-myologie.org/
Serge Braun - Scientific Director, AFM
Serge Braun PharmD, PhD has 20 years of experience devoted to neuromuscular diseases in both academic and private laboratories, together with specific expertise in R&D in gene, cell and pharmacology therapies.
Thomas Voit - Medical and Scientific Director, Institut de Myologie
Professor of Pediatrics and Scientific and Medical Director, Institut de Myologie, France.
Thomas currently holds the positions of Professor of Pediatrics (Professeurs des Universités –Praticien Hospitalier), Université Pierre et Marie Curie Paris VI, Scientific and Medical Director, Institut de Myologie, Groupe Hospitalier de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris and Director, Mixed Research Unit UMR_S 974 UPMC-INSERM-CNRS-AIM.
Thomas was and is a member of several scientific committees including the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign; Clinical Adviser for Conseil Scientifique, Association Française contre les Myopathies; Institut des Maladies Rares; MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Disease; Dutch Duchenne Parents Project and Integrated Research Centres, German Ministry of Education and Research. He is also a member of the Executive Board for the World Muscle Society.
Pierre Carlier - Director of the NMR laboratory, Institut de Myologie
Dr Pierre Carlier is a leading specialist in muscle MRI with a special interest in its development as a quantitative outcome measure. Pierre is developing standard operating procedures for the use of certain quantitative MRI techniques and is engaged in numerous research projects further developing MRI as a non-invasive diagnostic tool and outcome measure.
Click here to read more about the Institut de Myologie's NMR lab.
Nathalie Kayadjanian - Associate Scientific Director, AFM
