ALSA Funded Workshops

ALS Research Highlights Discussed at Symposium in Cambridge

November 24, 2004

In November, investigators funded through the ALSA-Initiated Scientific Research initiative gathered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to hear updated research findings achieved through the program. The ALSA-initiated grant program is an aggressive, ALS cure-directed research effort launched in May 2000 by The ALS Association. The initiative is led by Tom Maniatis, Ph.D., of Harvard University.

According to ALSA’s Science Director and Vice President Lucie Bruijn, Ph.D., the investigators shared encouraging progress on several fronts, at the symposium held November 4 and 5 at the Inn at Harvard in Cambridge. Screens for drugs that might stop mutant SOD1 protein from forming damaging clumps reveal several prototype compounds of interest. Also, a hunt for biomarkers of ALS has uncovered several intriguing possibilities that merit further investigation. And investigators are honing several approaches to use stem cells to rescue damaged motor neurons. Most notably, new, exciting collaborations may soon be underway, thanks to the lively exchange fostered at the symposium, said Bruijn.

For additional information on ALSA-initiated grants, visit http://www.alsa.org/research/projects.cfm.