Ammar Al-Chalabi is a Clinician Scientist at King’s College London. His research focuses on causes, modifiers and potential treatments for ALS. He co-leads the UK National MND Research Institute, chairs the International Symposium on ALS/MND, and is a National Institute for Health Research Senior Investigator. His work has been recognized by multiple prizes, including the Forbes Norris Award from the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations, the Healey Center International Prize for Innovation in ALS, the Sheila Essey Award from the American Academy of Neurology, a Gold National Clinical Excellence Award, and the Charcot Young Investigator Award from the MND Association.
What do we know about ALS genetics ?
Abstract: Since the first ALS gene was identified in 1993, our understanding of what constitutes a genetic risk variant and who this might affect have both changed. Despite significant advances in our understanding of genetic risk in ALS, there remain many unanswered questions such as the role of the 3D structure of the genome, the role of epistasis, the role of regulatory and epigenetic elements, and the interaction of gene variants with environmental risk. All these offer potential avenues of treatment. This talk will cover the current knowledge of the landscape of ALS genetics.
