Dr. Stefan Stamm has been actively involved in the PWS research community for a number of years. His group has received FPWR funding to explore the complex biology of SNORD115 and SNORD116 in PWS, as well as pursue ways to rescue the function of these RNAs that are missing in individuals with PWS.
The University of Kentucky recently made a video highlighting his work and a recent publication titled "Oligonucleotide‐induced alternative splicing of serotonin 2C receptor reduces food intake." The video, embedded below, describes how SNORD115, which is missing in PWS, is normally involved in regulating expression of a protein called the serotonin 2C receptor. This receptor is one of many involved in controlling appetite. Dr Stamm's group is developing oligonucleotide mimics to substitute for the missing SNORD115 and restore regulation of the serotonin receptor. They have shown that this mimic reduces appetite in mice and are working toward the next steps to translate these results into a new approach of therapeutic development for PWS.
Video by University of Kentucky Research Communications
