Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Introduced in Alberta and Saskatchewan
We are excited to share that through the advocacy efforts of Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC), in the past week both Saskatchewan and Alberta’s provincial governments have implemented newborn screening (NBS) programs for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)!
On February 23rd, Saskatchewan officially expanded their newborn screening panel to include testing for SMA as part of its newborn screening program, and on February 28th Alberta announced that through a pilot project with MDC, newborns will be able to be screened for SMA.
MDC continues to work diligently with donors, provincial governments, partners and supporters to remove barriers so that screening for SMA in Canada is a reality. Read more about MDC’s multi-year, multi-phase endeavour in collaboration with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. to better understand and address barriers for the implementation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
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Applications are now open for the 2026 NMD4C Basic Research Summer School!!!
Application Deadline: January 27, 2026 | We are excited to announce that applications are now open for our third Basic Research Summer School for neuromuscular research trainees! Led by Dr. Mireille Khacho, the 2026 NMD4C Basic Research Summer School will be held from June 8th to 10th at the University of Ottawa.
Call for Applications: Join the NMD4C Basic Science Trainee Committee (BSTC)
We are now accepting applications from graduate students, research trainees, and postdoctoral fellows working in neuromuscular labs in Canada.
Basic Science Trainee Committee Launches Pre-Clinical Science Standard Operating Procedures
We’re pleased to announce the launch of the BSTC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), now available through the NMD4C Resource Hub. These SOPs provide standardized guidance for laboratories, clinics, and research programs across Canada, supporting consistent, high-quality neuromuscular care and research. Explore the full SOP Library and other open-access resources designed to advance collaboration and strengthen practices nationwide.