ryandant | Muenzer MPS Center

The Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center participated in the 2026 WORLD Symposium held February 2–6, 2026, in San Diego, California, joining international leaders in lysosomal disease research and clinical care. Center faculty and staff contributed multiple presentations and scientific posters addressing key topics across several MPS disorders: Dr. Elizabeth Jalazo presented preliminary results from …

A recent publication by Matthew Hirsch, PhD, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Microbiology & Immunology at UNC’s Center for Molecular Medicine, advances UNC’s MPS I corneal gene therapy work. The study demonstrates reversal of corneal clouding in an MPS VI feline model and, together with existing MPS I canine data, supports the therapy’s safety and …

Ongoing clinical research at UNC could lead to a first-of-its-kind enzyme replacement therapy for Hunter syndrome, an ultra-rare disorder that causes progressive multisystem disease and neurologic decline. Joseph Muenzer, MD, PhD, the Director of the Muenzer MPS Research and Treatment Center and the Bryson Distinguished Professor in Pediatric Genetics at the UNC School of Medicine, …

The 2025 MPS MasterClass brought together clinicians, researchers, families, and advocates for two days of focused education and collaboration, drawing more than 360 total views across its live Zoom sessions. Hosted by the Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center, the virtual program featured expert-led presentations on diagnosis, treatment advancements, clinical management, and emerging therapies across …

Monika Williams, MD, Assistant Professor in Pediatric Genetics & Metabolism and new MPS Center team member, has been selected for the 2025–2026 Passing the Torch cohort — a faculty development program that advances person-centered patient care and teaching through biweekly small-group learning and a capstone “passion project.” Dr. Williams focuses on the diagnosis and longitudinal …

Executive Director, Dr. Kim Stephens, represented the Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center at the FDA Convening On the RISE: Controls in Rare Disease Clinical Trials for Small and Diminishing Populations workshop in Washington, D.C., hosted in partnership with the Duke-Robert J. Margolis, MD, Institute for Health Policy. This important meeting brought together leaders in research, …

In this BioCentury op-ed, Dr. Joseph Muenzer joins other advocates in calling for a fit-for-purpose regulatory pathway for ultrarare diseases. Standard placebo-controlled clinical trials are often not feasible for these conditions, especially those affecting the brain where symptom onset and progression vary greatly between patients. These challenges can add years to the approval process, leaving patients …

Chapel Hill, NC – The Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center recently traveled to San Francisco, California, where the team led a MasterClass on Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) at Denali Therapeutics. The visit highlighted the importance of collaborative partnerships in advancing research, education, and care for individuals affected by MPS. During the visit, Dr. Joseph Muenzer placed …

Muenzer MPS Center Team in purple for MPS Awareness Day

Chapel Hill, NC — The team at the Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center joined the global rare disease community in recognizing MPS Awareness Day by proudly wearing purple—a color symbolizing strength, resilience, and unity across the MPS community. Muenzer MPS Center Team in purple for MPS Awareness Day Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of seven …

Muenzer Center team members at National MPS Society 5k.

Team members from the Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center took part in the Raleigh Run for Rare, a 5K run and 1-mile walk hosted by the National MPS Society at Lake Crabtree County Park in Morrisville, NC. The event brought together families, advocates, and supporters to raise awareness and funds for mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) and …

UNC Children’s has opened the Muenzer MPS Research and Treatment Center dedicated to improving the lives of patients with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), a group of rare inherited conditions, and advancing research with the goal of creating better therapies. UNC Children’s Opens Muenzer MPS Center in Chapel Hill

Author Archives: ryandant

Muenzer MPS Center Showcases Clinical and Translational Research at WORLD Symposium 2026

Adeno-associated vector corneal gene therapy reverses corneal clouding in a feline model of mucopolysaccharidosis VI

Renowned UNC Pediatric Biochemical Geneticist Leads First Study on a Novel Treatment for Hunter Syndrome

Muenzer MPS MasterClass

Dr. Monika Williams Selected for 2025–2026 Passing the Torch Cohort

Dr. Kim Stephens Represents the Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center at FDA Workshop in Washington, D.C.

FDA Delays Put Lives at Risk for Ultrarare Disease

Muenzer MPS Center Team Visits Denali Therapeutics to Advance Collaboration on Hunter Syndrome Research

Muenzer MPS Center Team Wears Purple to Support MPS Awareness Day

Muenzer Center Team Participates in 2025 National MPS Society 5K

UNC Children’s Opens Muenzer MPS Center in Chapel Hill