91大神

Skeletal Dysplasia Lab

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Skeletal Dysplasia Lab

Transforming Care for Kids With Rare Skeletal Disorders

The Skeletal Dysplasia Lab at 91大神 Children鈥檚 in Delaware Valley is working to change the future for children with rare genetic disorders affecting bone and cartilage development. We focus on mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), particularly Morquio A syndrome. For more than 30 years, our team has turned breakthrough discoveries into real-life treatments that make a difference in children鈥檚 lives.听

Our contributions to understanding and treating Morquio A syndrome is groundbreaking. We have identified the genes responsible for the condition and developed new diagnostic tools to help detect it early in life. We maintain one of the world's largest Morquio patient registries, helping us better understand how this condition affects children throughout their lives.

Recently, we received a prestigious grant to conduct the first-of-its-kind gene therapy clinical trial for Morquio A. This revolutionary approach could potentially transform treatment options, offering hope for more effective, longer-lasting solutions.

Looking ahead, we're developing multiple promising therapies and more care options, including new drug treatments, gene therapy, and cutting-edge diagnostic tools. Our work spans from laboratory research to direct patient care, ensuring that our scientific discoveries translate into real-world benefits for children and families affected by skeletal dysplasia.

Principal Investigator

Shunji Tomatsu, MD, PhD

Shunji Tomatsu, MD, PhD

Principal Research Scientist

Lab Team

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Our Areas of Focus

Tracking Disease Progress to Transform Treatment

Our registry of over 400 patients with Morquio A helps us understand how the disease develops over time. We鈥檙e documenting detailed natural history data to reveal patterns that guide doctors in providing better care and helps researchers develop more effective treatments. We've published more than 50 papers and developed new treatments targeting bone health.

Revolutionizing Patient Monitoring Through Child-Friendly Tests

We鈥檙e developing gentle ways to monitor children's health. Our non-invasive, innovative approaches track breathing, bone strength, flexibility, and movement in ways that work better for kids with limited mobility. This helps us understand how well treatments are working while keeping children comfortable.

Advancing Diagnostic Precision Through Biomarker Research

We pioneer advanced methods to measure key substances (glycosaminoglycans or GAGs) that build up in Morquio A. Using innovative technology, we can precisely measure these biomarkers to diagnose the condition accurately and track how well treatments are working. This work is essential for both early detection and monitoring treatment effectiveness.

Detecting Disease Earlier to Prevent Complications

Early diagnosis can make a difference in treatment outcomes. We've developed a new screening method that can identify Morquio A and other similar conditions in newborns using just a tiny drop of blood. In our studies, we successfully identified affected infants, allowing for earlier treatment and better outcomes.

Pioneering Breakthrough Treatment Strategies

We're exploring multiple promising treatments, including stem cell transplantation, gene therapy using viral vectors, and innovative enzyme replacement approaches. We focus on developing treatments that can effectively reach and strengthen bone tissue, which is especially important for children with Morquio A.

Recent Research Highlights

Researchers viewing iPad

Gene Therapy Research Programs

Leading multiple groundbreaking approaches in gene therapy, awarded the prestigious FNIH AMP庐 BGTC grant in 2023:

  • Protocol NEM101: AAV gene therapy program for MPS IVA
  • Bone-targeting lentiviral gene therapy
  • CRISPR/nCas9-based gene editing research
  • Fetal therapy using AAV-Fc-GALNS fusion proteins

Molecular & Diagnostic Innovations

  • Establishing new standards in disease monitoring, contributing to global clinical care guidelines:
  • Comprehensive GAG analysis platform using ELISA and mass spectrometry
  • Non-invasive functional assessments for mobility and breathing
  • Enhanced newborn screening methods with proven detection success
  • Novel biomarker identification for skeletal dysplasia

Therapeutic Development Pipeline

Advancing multiple treatment strategies toward clinical application:

  • mRNA therapeutics for enzyme replacement
  • Small activating RNA therapy approaches
  • Cell-based treatments integrating with gene therapy
  • Targeted delivery systems for bone tissue

Research Infrastructure & Models

Supporting worldwide research through essential resources:

  • World鈥檚 largest Morquio A patient registry听
  • Novel MPS IVA rat models
  • Novel biomarker assessment methodologies
  • Comprehensive natural history studies with clinical outcomes

Major Grants

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

R01 Grants
Non-invasive functional assessment and pathogenesis of Morquio A (2021-2026) | Tomatsu, S. (PI) | $2,938,812

Enhancement of Newborn Screening Diagnostic Paradigms (2022-2027) | Langan, T.J. (PI), Tomatsu, S. (Site PI) | $976,960

SBIR Grant听| Cell-based Gene Therapy for MPS IVA (2024-2025) | Mounzih, K. (PI), Tomatsu, S. (Collaborator) | $108,409

Foundation for the National Institutes of Health

Gene Therapy Program听| AAV Gene Therapy for Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA Protocol NEM101 (2023-2027) | Mackenzie, S., Tomatsu, S. (PIs) | $2,800,000

Private Foundation Support

A CURE FOR ROBERT, INC.听| CRISPR/nCas9-based gene therapy for MPS IVA (2023-2025) | Tomatsu, S. (PI) | $70,000

A CURE FOR ROBERT, INC.听| Development of a new rat model with mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (2023-2025) | Tomatsu, S. (PI) | $89,900

A CURE FOR ROBERT, INC.听| Allogeneic Cell-based Gene Therapy for Morquio A (2025-2026) | Tomatsu, S. (PI) | $65,495

BIOSTRATEGIES, LC听| Safety and efficacy studies of RTB听product in Morquio A mouse model (2023-2025) | Tomatsu, S. (PI) | $70,233

Institutional & In-Kind Support

91大神 Foundation听| Research support for Morquio Syndrome studies | Tomatsu, S. (PI) | $335,781 (2025)

A CURE FOR ROBERT, INC.听| Support for Morquio Syndrome fellows | Tomatsu, S. (PI) | $632,218

Awards & Recognition

Researchers at 91大神 are often recognized for their exceptional contributions to pediatric research. Our team鈥檚 passion to advance children鈥檚 health and well-being is celebrated.

Scientific Excellence

The Japanese Society for Inherited Metabolic Diseases (JSIMD) honored Dr. Shunji Tomatsu with the JSIMD Award for his work "Development of a New Treatment for Inherited Mucopolysaccharidoses and Establishment of a Biomarker."

This recognition, presented at the 65th annual meeting in Tokyo (2024), acknowledges our team's significant contributions to advancing treatment options for rare inherited diseases. 听

In addition, Dr. Tomatsu won the 2024 91大神 Research of Excellence Award.听

Research in Context

Our labs contribute to research that informs pediatric care, working in alignment with research centers and focused areas of scientific study at 91大神.