• 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
    • About ALS
    • Understanding the Science
      • 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

Longitudinal Biofluids Core

Mission

Researchers around the world continue to work tirelessly to advance under­standing of ALS and discover effective treatments for this devastating disease. However, a crucial component is still missing: biomarkers. Biomarkers can be used to rapidly diagnose ALS and monitor disease progression as well as to demonstrate activity of test therapeutics and track treatment response. Limited availability of well-characterized patient biofluid samples is a common barrier to biomarker development.

Research

In 2021, Target ALS launched a natural history study to generate the most comprehensive collection of longitudinal biofluid samples and data from at least 800 ALS and 200 healthy control cases. The multi-center study is conducted by the Target ALS Biofluid Consortium, recently expanded to comprise 14 ALS clinics located around the globe, and growing. We’ve reached our 2024 goal with 180 participants enrolled, including our first non-U.S. site in Bogotá, Colombia—marking a significant milestone in advancing ALS research. The study includes collection of detailed clinical and demographic information, speech and respiratory functional data, multiomic datasets, and longitudinal biofluid collection of CSF, blood, and urine. De-identified biofluid samples are currently available for request from 113 participants – 51 healthy controls and 62 participants with ALS.

Outreach and Diversity

We are deeply committed to finding a cure for all patients. Lack of research in diverse populations and underrepresented communities impedes progress in understanding the cause of ALS.  Target ALS sponsors several programs to fill this gap. First, we are expanding our biofluid consortium to include 10 international clinics with access to diverse patient populations. Second, in collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Barrow Neurological Institute, we are creating outreach programs for patients in rural communities to participate in research through a simple at-home questionnaire and blood sample kit. Third, we are providing travel reimbursement to allow patients to easily access ALS clinics to participate in the Natural History Study.

Clinical Sites

The Biofluid Consortium involves the following clinical centers:

  • Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ (Coordinating site)
    • Site Principal Investigator: Shafeeq Ladha, MD
    • Core Director: Robert Bowser, Ph.D.
  • Columbia University, New York, NY (led by Neil Shneider, MD, PhD and Matthew Harms, MD)
  • Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL (led by Bjorn Oskarsson, MD)
  • University of California, San Diego (UCSD), San Diego, CA (led by John Ravits, MD)
  • Washington University, St Louis, MO (led by Cindy Ly, MD, PhD and Tim Miller, MD, PhD)
  • Georgetown University, Washington DC (led by Brent Harris, MD, PhD and Nick Streicher, MD)
  • University of Washington, Seattle WA (led by Michael Weiss, MD)
  • Northwestern University, Chicago, IL (led by Senda Ajroud-Driss, MD)
  • Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (led by Mark Garret, MD)
  • Instituto Roosevelt, Bogotá, Colombia (led by Martha Peña, MD)
  • Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel (led by Marc Gotkine, MD)
  • Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (led by Lydia Sharp, MD and James Orengo, MD, PhD)
  • University of Puerto Rico (led by Valerie Wojna, MD and Brenda Deliz Roldan, MD)

Access to Target ALS Core Resources

As with all the core resources created by Target ALS, samples and data will be accessible to researchers worldwide, with no-strings-attached. The goal of this core is to provide access via a conflict-free and expeditious sample request process. De-identified biofluid samples are currently available for request from 113 participants – 51 healthy controls and 62 participants with ALS.  Subject data including clinical, demographic, digital measures of function, and WGS is currently available in the Target ALS Data Portal. Additional multi-omic datasets and neurofilament light levels will become available by end of 2024..  Subject data including clinical, demographic, multi-omic datasets, and neurofilament light levels will become available via the Target ALS Data Portal. These data can be mined along with data from our Postmortem Tissue Collection.

To request samples, please click here to complete the form. Please note that we have a new application portal. Click here to learn more.

Sample requests will be approved by an Independent Review Committee on a once-monthly basis, followed by a short virtual meeting to discuss the sample needs and research plan with each investigator. A Materials Transfer Agreement (MTA) will be executed upon approval of the request.

Confidentiality of investigator’s data, research, and intellectual property will be strictly honored.
Target ALS does not seek ownership of any intellectual property or financial gains that result on the
basis of its funding or in-kind contributions.

For more information about the Target ALS Longitudinal Biofluids Core, contact Amy Easton, PhD, Sr. Director of Scientific Programs, (amy.easton@targetals.org) or Laura Dugom, MPH, Clinical Research Scientist (laura.dugom@targetals.org)

To donate biofluids and be a part of advancing ALS Research CLICK HERE

New Target ALS Application Portal

We are in the process of changing our online grant application portal.

  • You will need to create a new user account, called a Blackbaud ID, even if you have applied to our grants in the past.
  • You will be able to share your applications with co-applicants (consortium members) or other key stakeholders in your organization.
  • If you have a current Target ALS grant, you will not see it in this new application portal (we’re working on unifying them).
  • Add noreply@yourcause.com to your safe senders list to make sure you receive our emails and notifications. 

Research

Contact Us

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