There is considerable evidence that elevated levels of ROS contribute to muscle degeneration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD); yet little investigation has occurred into ROS production in dysferlinopathy. Dr Grounds is exploring ROS levels in A/J mice, which lack dysferlin, during disease pathogenesis. The project seeks to assess the relative levels of numerous different ROS species in dysferlin null and normal mice as they age. Provided elevated levels of ROS are observed in the dysferlin pathology, she will assess the therapeutic value of treating the dysferlin null mice with small molecule and genetic antioxidant approaches.