ISB News

Aitchison Lab Accepts ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Jennifer Smith, senior research scientist in the John Aitchison Lab, was tagged to do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. And because the Aitchison group studies ALS, Jennifer’s lab mates took the challenge, too. Jennifer offered this description of the work they are doing to create a blood test for early detection of ALS:

ISB is developing a multi-component blood-based assay (blood test) for early detection and disease tracking of ALS. We are doing this because there are no good diagnostic tests for ALS and, on average, it takes a year to get a definitive diagnosis, resulting in significant loss of therapeutic opportunity. There is a dire need for a robust and quantitative blood biomarker assay to help confirm initial diagnosis of ALS and to track disease activity not only for clinical use, but to also to develop new therapies for the disease.

The assay we are developing is called the indicator cell assay platform (iCAP) for blood-based diagnostics that can be used for early detection of ALS, and as a diagnostic tool for drug development. The iCAP uses cultured cells as biosensors, capitalizing on the natural ability of cells to detect signals present in serum from patients with ALS with exquisite sensitivity, as opposed to traditional assays that rely on direct detection of molecules in blood.

You can support ALSA.org to raise awareness about ALS. Or you can support ALS research directly with a gift to Institute for Systems Biology. Support ALS research directly.

You Have 24 Hours to Accept the Challenge!

And now, the Aitchison Lab challenges the following groups:

  • Mike Rout Lab, The Rockefeller University
  • Alan Aderem Lab, Seattle BioMed
  • Dave Goodlett Lab, University of Maryland

Learn more about the Aitchison Lab and Jennifer Smith. Jennifer received a “proof of concept” grant from the Life Sciences Discovery Fund to develop a similar early detection test for Alzheimer’s.

Ice Bucket Challenge Photo Gallery

You may also visit the full gallery on Flickr.

ALS5614 ALS5615 ALS5616

Recent Articles

  • New Research Unveils Effective STEM Program Models for High School Students from Historically Marginalized Communities

    An ISB-led study has unveiled important insights and actionable protocols into providing equitable STEM experiences for high school students from historically marginalized communities. The research highlights the transformative power of informal STEM learning in addressing societal challenges and the ease with which many organizations could provide these important opportunities.

  • Common Immune Response Protective Across Many Diseases

    Combined, infection, autoimmunity and cancer account for 40 percent of deaths worldwide and represent major global health challenges. In a Cell Reports paper, ISB researchers detail how the human immune system works in common ways across diseases. Their findings offer promising avenues for exploring multi-disease therapeutic strategies.

  • Spotlight on ISB Education graphic

    2023-24 School Year ISB Education Highlights

    Each month throughout the 2023-2024 academic year, we will highlight some of the top projects the ISB Education team is working on.