Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that hinders the ability of motor neurons to create voluntary skeletal muscle movement. Over 5,000 Americans are diagnosed with ALS per year. ALS begins with subtle symptoms that are often overlooked. ALS causes progressive muscle weakness and voluntary muscle paralysis; there is no cure. 

Several genes are involved in the development of ALS.  In recent studies, ALS progression has been linked to the aggregation of TDP43 protein in the neurons, leading to neuronal death. In our lab we use TDP43 expression to simulate an ALS phenotype, in our model organism drosophila. 

We are a group of undergraduate students hoping to contribute to the current ALS research that is present in todays day-and-age. Ranging from a variety of disciplines and background, our team hopes to use our past/current experiences to make a change in anyway possible.