• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Target ALS

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

  • DONATE
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our Model
    • Our Impact
    • Our Founder
    • Our Team
    • Our Partners
  • For Scientists
    • Research Cores
      • Target ALS Data Engine
      • Longitudinal Biofluids Core
      • Human Postmortem Tissue Core
      • Stem Cell Core
      • Reagents Core
      • Animal Models Core
    • Funding Opportunities
    • Funded Projects
    • Annual Meeting
    • Science on Target Blog
  • Understanding ALS
    • The Science, Explained
      • Glossary
      • FAQ
      • ALS 101
    • Voices of ALS
    • Video Library
  • Take Action
    • ALS Awareness Month:
      Behind the Breakthrough
    • Support Geoff Greulich
    • The ALS Global Research Initiative (AGRI)
      • Global Natural History Study
      • Community Based Pop-Up Clinics
    • Ways to Give
    • Email Sign Up
    • Contact Us
    • Donate Now
  • News
    • Announcements
    • In the News
    • Newsletters & Reports

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.

ABCDEFGHIKLMNPRSTUWAll

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.

Footer

Target ALS
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Financial Reports
  • Call For Proposals
  • Annual Meeting
  • Privacy Policy
  • Credits

Follow Us

guidestar

We are a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN: 81-0756743), eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions that directly support our mission to break down barriers to ALS research to find effective treatments.

The Target ALS (TALS) website is intended for informational purposes only. Opinions expressed may not be that of TALS or its employees. For more information about our digital policies, click here.

© 2023 Target ALS Foundation, Inc.
Target ALS Foundation
244 Madison Avenue #1025
New York, NY 10016
(332) 333-4140
Steck Insights WordPress Consulting

Join us this ALS Awareness Month to discover the people, stories, and science accelerating progress in ALS research.

Name(Required)
Interests(Required)
Mark the options that best describe your interest in ALS