Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Marisa holds a Master of Science in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. Her areas of expertise include cancer biology, immunology, and genetics, and she has worked as a science writing and communications intern for the Genetics Society of America.

Articles by Marisa Wexler

Enzyme Replacement Therapy for Sanfilippo A Shows Promise

A novel enzyme replacement therapy developed by BioMarin Pharmaceutical for Sanfilippo syndrome type A showed promising effects in a mouse model of the disease, a study showed. Researchers were also able to identify a previously unknown receptor protein that lets the enzyme enter cells. The study, “…

Experts Publish Consensus Guidelines for Sanfilippo Care

An international group of experts has published a set of consensus guidelines outlining how best to provide medical care for people with Sanfilippo syndrome. “The goal was to create a consensus set of basic clinical guidelines that will be accessible to and informed by clinicians globally, as well as…

Sanfilippo Type B Patient May Be First in Saudi Arabia

A never-before-reported mutation in the gene NAGLU was found to cause Sanfilippo syndrome type B in an 8-year-old girl in Saudi Arabia. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Sanfilippo syndrome type B from Saudi Arabia,” researchers said. The case was described in the report,…

Official to Propose European Action Plan for Rare Diseases

Later this month, the Czech government will host a conference where Deputy Minister of Health Jakub Dvořáček will present a call to action and proposal for a European Action Plan for Rare Diseases — a systemic framework for the  European Union to better care for people with rare diseases like…

Added Mutation in Sanfilippo Linked to Worse Symptoms for 1 Sibling

The case of two siblings with Sanfilippo syndrome type B who had the same disease-causing mutations but showed dramatically different developmental trajectories was described in a recent report. Genetic analyses revealed an additional gene mutation in the younger child — one causing another rare disease characterized by developmental delays…