The NEM Research Institute
Uncovering the Frontiers of Neuromuscular Research
The NEM Research Institute is one of the largest research groups focused on neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine in the United States. We are headquartered at the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Science branch of Rutgers University. Our clinical and translational research is conducted at the Department of Neurology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. This portion of the institute is led by Dr. Nizar Souayah, MD, FAAN, FAANEM. Our basic science research is conducted at a newly furnished and up-to-date experimental wet laboratory at the Medical Sciences Building. This portion of the institute is led by Dr. Zhao Zhong Chong, MD, MS, PHD.
Our institute is deeply intertwined with both transnational and international partners who work at the forefront of neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine. The NEM Research Institute is thankful to our collaborative members at Princeton University, Columbia University, Texas Tech University, New York University, Cairo University, the University of Missouri, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Penn State College of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, and the New Jersey Pediatric Neuroscience Institute.
As the cornerstone of all biological systems, the neuromuscular junction is intimately connected to all specialties in medicine. The neuromuscular junction is the most important complex in the body, acting as the interface between ourselves and the environment along with all other self-regulatory mechanisms that occur within us. Thus, our research goes beyond the molecular mechanisms behind the neuromuscular junction and related pathologies, but also delves deep into the intimate connections it has with all other organ systems. Surely, neuromuscular research is as relevant to neurodegenerative disease as it is to cardiac arrhythmias, ophthalmologic dysfunctions, and dermatologic disorders etc. For further information, please consider reading about our ongoing projects on the projects page.
The NEM Research Institute upholds the following 4 concepts as critical to all research endeavors:
- The Patient’s Perspective: Going past simply quantitative and qualitative data, we focus heavily on the patient’s morbidity and “quality of life” as the most critical feature of import in our research studies. We translate clinical and basic science discoveries into on-the-ground guidelines that are able to be used at the bedside. Importantly, we focus on practical applicability in our studies as the most significant factors to investigate.
- Advanced Computational Architecture: Our institute works with statisticians and computer scientists to analyze clinical data with the most sophisticated machine learning and neural network techniques. We collate national databases, local hospital data, and tertiary care EMRs to develop predictive models with high sensitivity and specificity. Using big data techniques, we are able to explore rare neurologic illnesses and associated demographic and clinical outcome data.
- Frontiers of Neurotherapy and Neuroepidemiology: Along with researching established neuromuscular pathology and therapy, we focus on emerging illnesses and their impact on society. In particular, we are focused on the PASC (post-acute sequelae of COVID-19) crisis along with investigating modern therapies for neurological illness.
- Interdisciplinary Methodology: The NEM Research Institute recruits experts across disciplines to correlate neuromuscular medicine with relevant fields of interest. Just as we research new biomarkers in our experimental laboratory we work with civil engineers to examine the emergence of neurologic illness near hazardous waste sites and explore the treatment differences among disparate socioeconomic classes with business administration professionals.
