our strategy
Each year, AMND partners with various organizations and donates its funds in order to aid ALS research. Organizations AMND has been affiliated with include Project ALS, Ride for Life, The Robert Packard Center, ALS Association, ALS TDI, MDA’s Wings over Wallstreet, ALS Hope Foundation, Columbia University Medical Center, Prize For Life, Jackson Labs, Stony Brook University. AMND believes in collaboration amongst ALS research facilities.
Historically, ALS research was conducted by committed ALS researchers working separately on various aspects of the disease. Project A.L.S.™ changed that approach dramatically by requiring that researchers and doctors from many disciplines work together, share data openly, and meet shared research milestones. Project A.L.S.™ actively recruits researchers, much as competitive sports teams recruit the best athletes. Project A.L.S.™ has built dream teams in four main areas: Basic Research, Genetics, Stem Cells, and Drug Screening. Project A.L.S.™ research is funded on a rolling basis and is vetted by the Project A.L.S.™ research advisory board.
Location: New York, New York
Visit them at: http://www.projectals.org/index.html
Leadership: Meredith Estess- President. Valerie Estess- Director of Research
The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit organization focusing on mammalian genetics research to advance human health. Their mission is to discover the genetic basis for preventing, treating and curing human disease, and to enable research for the global biomedical community. They have more than 1,400 employees located in Bar Harbor, Maine, and in Sacramento, California that conduct genetic research, provide scientific services and genetic resources to laboratories around the world, and educate students of all ages through courses, internships and other programs.Their work uses the mouse as a research tool. Because mice and humans share 95% of their genes, mice are an effective and efficient model for human diseases. Along with their research they provide scientific resources, techniques, software and data to scientists around the world. They breed and manage colonies of mice to supply other research institutions and laboratories.
Location: Bar Harbor, Maine
Visit them at: http://www.jax.org
ALS Leadership: Dr. Gregory Cox
The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins is the only international scientific operation dedicated solely to curing the disease. We are unique in our approach to fighting ALS, a motor neuron disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in that we combine and facilitate scientific collaboration and ALS research with fundraising for the development of new treatments and to finding a cure.
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Visit them at: http://www.alscenter.org/
Leadership: Jeffrey D. Rothstein, MD, PhD- Director
The mission of the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is to develop effective therapeutics that stop ALS as soon as possible. Focused on meeting this urgent unmet medical need, ALS TDI executes a robust discovery program, as well as a multi-pronged approach to validate potential therapeutics; including small molecules, protein biologics, gene therapies and cell-based constructs. The Institute’s unique, industrial-scale platform allows for the development and testing of dozens of potential therapeutics each year.
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Visit them at: http://www.als.net/
Leadership: Augie Nieto- Chairman
The mission of the ALS Hope Foundation is to provide long-term support to 1) basic and clinical research programs leading to a cure, 2) clinical centers of excellence for the care and treatment of patients with ALS, 3) support programs for patients and care-givers that optimize care and promote independence of the patient, and 4) programs that promote patient and physician education about the diagnosis, treatment and caring for the patient with ALS.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Visit them at: http://www.alshopefoundation.org/
Leadership: Dr. Jeffrey Deitsch
The Stony Brook University Neuromuscular Disease and ALS Center provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for patients of all ages with neuromuscular disorders. It is not always clear what causes neuromuscular diseases, although genetics and immune system disorders are thought to play a role. Symptoms such as cramps, pain, weakness, muscle wasting, numbness, and difficulty moving can be frightening, but we are here to help. They are experts in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), neuropathy, myopathy, myasthenia gravis, and more. You and your family are welcome to come see them for advice, a second opinion, diagnosis, or ongoing care. Their goal is to provide best-in-class care while decreasing your symptoms, increasing your mobility, and improving your quality of life. They will do so in an environment of compassion and mutual respect.
Location: Stony Brook, New York
Visit them at: http://stonybrookneurosciences.org
Leadership: Dr. Rahman Pourmand, MD- Physician
The Motor Neuron Center will engage brilliant scientific minds in a translational approach to the study of the motor neuron. By taking new leads and tools from motor neuron biology, and testing and applying them to animal models of disease, as well as to clinical research in people, the Motor Neuron Center will facilitate the speedy transfer of research and preclinical findings to patients in the hope of finding effective therapy.
Location: New York, New York
Visit them at: http://www.columbiamnc.org
ALS Leadership: Dr. Serge Pzerdborski
Leading the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy while also empowering people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support is what ALSA strives to accomplish.
Location: New York, NY
Visit them at: http://www.alsa-ny.org/
Leadership: Dorine Gordon, President
