Advancing Muscular Dystrophy Research Through Partnership
As part of Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month, we’re delighted to highlight MDI’s successful partnership through Research Ireland’s Enterprise Partnership Postgraduate Scheme, mentoring an early-career researcher at Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) University. This exciting partnership is helping to advance research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) while supporting the next generation of researchers in the field.
Meet Rucha Benare, the researcher at the heart of this partnership.
Rucha Benare is a biomedical engineering PhD researcher, developing a microfluidic “muscle-on-chip” platform: a device the size of a coin, threaded with channels thinner than a human hair. Living cells or tissue are grown inside the device to model the effects of DMD and test how potential new treatments might work.
Rucha aims to work closely with people living with DMD and their families, so that the design of the device is shaped by what matters to them. Alongside her research, she runs art and science workshops that bring people together to help shape questions, ensuring the research reflects the priorities of the people it is for.
Rucha’s PhD research is funded by Research Ireland (formerly Irish Research Council) in partnership with Muscular Dystrophy Ireland and is being carried out at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences from 2025 to 2029.
