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Target ALS

A New York based ALS research organization that's leading the fight for a cure.

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Glossary

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease in the central nervous system that impacts the brain and spinal cord, resulting in a loss of muscle control.

It is colloquially referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, after the famous baseball player who battled it in the late 1930s, and does not yet have a cure. To better understand the language of ALS, the ALS Glossary below provides definitions for research terms commonly used by our Innovation Ecosystem and the extended ALS community.

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gene delivery

The process of introducing foreign genetic material (such as DNA or RNA) into cells using genetically engineered vectors.

gene expression

The process by which the information from a gene is used to produce end products (such as proteins or other molecules).

gene mutation/mutated genes

A change in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene. Mutations are often caused by random errors during cell division and are often inheritable. They can also be caused by exposure to DNA-damaging agents such as radiation

genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism; in other words, it describes an organism's complete set of genes

glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)

A naturally occurring substance that protects and contributes to the survival of motor neurons.

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