Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is the locus of much of the ALS research in the United States. The Foundation supports two research laboratories at Northwestern. The Les Turner ALS Research Laboratory led by Dr. Teepu Siddique focuses on determining the genetic cause of inherited cases known as "familial ALS." Recent projects have also uncovered genetic links to currently unexplained cases known as "sporadic ALS."
The Les Turner ALS Foundation Research Laboratory led by Dr. P. Hande Ozdinler opened in 2008. This lab focuses on the motor neurons which reside in the brain, and connect with motor neurons in the spinal cord to initiate and control movement. These two motor neuron populations progressively degenerate in ALS patients, and therefore require immediate attention.
Please also visit Northwestern’s Division of Neuromuscular Medicine website for more information on the labs and their current research projects.
ALS research at Northwestern is funded in part by:
The Semler ALS Research FundResearch is what keeps hope alive. Hope was the catalyst for Vickie and Loren Semler to establish The Semler ALS Research Fund, dedicated to fund research until a treatment for this devastating disease is found. “If we can’t find a cure today, Vickie and I would like to know that this important research is still being done, even after we are gone. We hope our support will inspire others to do the same.” And knowing that the scientists at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine are working tirelessly to find a treatment keeps Vickie hopeful as she continues her battle with ALS. (Pictured: Vickie and Loren Semler shortly before Vickie’s ALS diagnosis in 2010.)
