Scientists can now target the cells at the center of ALS
For the first time ever, scientists have developed a precise genetic toolkit that can target the exact nerve cells destroyed by ALS and potentially deliver therapies where they are needed most — a discovery that could dramatically speed up the quest for a cure.
Researchers at the Allen Institute developed this approach to deliver therapies directly to vulnerable spinal cord cells, offering a powerful new strategy to slow or stop disease progression. “I think it’s an exciting time to be a molecular neuroscientist,” said Tanya Daigle, Ph.D., lead author on the research and associate investigator at the Allen Institute. “I became a scientist for exactly this moment in time, when something we do in the lab could benefit the people dealing with this horrible disease. The potential to impact humanity like this is a very exciting thing.”
This discovery underscores Washington state’s leadership as a hub for life science breakthroughs that improve lives around the world.