Evolutionary Approaches to Understanding Neuromuscular Plasticity
Elizabeth Heckscher, PhD
Annika Sharma
Our lab has been exploring this new research direction. This award allows us to dig deeper into the compelling preliminary data and collaborate with MND researchers to explore translational implications.
As a basic scientist who strongly believes in the importance of comparative research, I am honored and excited to learn from this interdisciplinary group of researchers and advance innovative projects for therapeutic discovery.
Development of experimental and computational approaches to study the impact of aberrant mRNA processing in ALS
Yang I. Li, PhD
Carlos Buen Abad Najar, PhD
A big gap in our research on RNA splicing has been the lack of direct applications to understanding and treating diseases. This award provides us with the opportunity to collaborate with experts from the CMND and translate our methods and basic biological insights into a better understanding of motor neuron diseases.
This award is a fantastic opportunity to apply our computational biology research of RNA splicing to neurodegenerative diseases. Engaging with this world-class community of scientists will significantly broaden the scope of my research and open new avenues for future directions as an independent scientist.
Examining the roles of peripheral perisynaptic glia in NMJ development and ALS
Robert Carrillo, PhD
Parisa Tajalli Tehrani Valverde
We are thrilled to receive this CMND award and work with our colleagues to examine the mechanisms underlying ALS. Our lab uses Drosophila to investigate the fundamental mechanisms that instruct neuromuscular circuit development. We are excited to leverage this expertise and Drosophila's genetic tools to gain new insights into the role of glia in the context of ALS initiation and progression.
In this interdisciplinary milieu, we can push the boundaries of ALS research. I’m excited to tap into this scientific community to interrogate the complex interactions between glia, neurons, and muscles at the neuromuscular junction in development, and disease.
Targeting NAD+ metabolism for neuroprotection in C9-ALS/FTD
Rong Grace Zhai, PhD
Natalie Ortiz-Vega, PhD
I am honored to receive this award and excited to be a part of the CMND research program. This support will jumpstart our in vivo modeling efforts in ALS/FTD and expand our therapeutic discovery platform into the area of motor neuron diseases.
The Pilot Award provides the resources, guidance, and feedback that will refine my research approach and contribute to my development as a proficient scientist focused on advancing therapeutic discoveries for neurological disorders.
MesoRNA transcriptome and epitranscriptome in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Tao Pan, PhD
Luke Frietze
Luke and I are honored to receive this pilot award from the CMND. This award will allow us to continue to explore tRNA biology and its role in ALS and allows us the time and resources to make new discoveries.
This award provides the resources for me to focus on my project and further develop my scientific skills. It also allows me to continue to bring tRNA biology together with ALS pathology.
Unraveling splicing dynamics: Integrating nuclear RNA-seq and co-transcriptional lariat-seq to decode mechanisms of ALS
Jonathan Staley, PhD
Astra Hwang
This pilot award will allow us to apply a new methodology that we have developed to investigate splicing and to deepen our understanding of splicing defects in motor neuron disease.
Engaging in this research will provide a unique opportunity for me to explore RNA splicing in ALS at a depth that has not been previously investigated and attempted.