Genetic and acquired neuromuscular diseases represent a major cause of mortality and morbidity in children and adults with a revalence of more than 5% in the general population. Currently there is a large gap between major basic science discoveries and patient benefit in these important disorders. In order to reduce this gap we form the first truly multidisciplinary translational research centre into these disabling diseases.Our mission is to translate basic science findings into clinical trials and new treatments for children and adults with disabling neuromuscular diseases.The centre is based at the UCL Institute of Neurology in collaboration with the UCL Institute of Child Health, other departments of UCL and at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. There is a very large adult and paediatric patient populations with neuromuscular diseases cared for at the co-located hospitals: The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UCLH Foundation Trust; Great Ormond Street NHS Trust, and the Newcastle teaching hospitals.