Martin K Childers, D.O., Ph.D.

I am passionate about finding answers for patients with devastating muscle diseases, particularly those with congenital myopathies and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As a rehabilitation clinical specialist and basic scientist who investigates rare diseases, it is a privilege to help patients and families struggling with extraordinary burdens. Although we do not have many answers yet, efforts are now yielding new hope for our patients. This is an exciting time of discovery in muscle disease research.

Patient Care Philosophy
The time spent in face-face interaction with a patient and their family is an extraordinary privilege never to be taken for granted.

Personal Interests
Music, hiking, biking, running and BBQ

Clinical Interests
Dr. Childers' clinical interests include neuromuscular medicine, physical medicine, botox injections for spasticity and cervical dystonia.

Research Interests
The Childers' lab is currently pursuing two areas of investigation. In a series of preclinical studies, we address the hurdles required for systemic gene replacement delivery for patients with X-Linked Myotubular Myopathy (XLMTM). In another study, we use a "disease in a dish" approach using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology to study heart disease in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Teaching Interests
Muscle physiology, stem cell biology

Languages
English

Expertise
Muscle Physiology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Stem Cell Biology