Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease which causes the loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.  While the cause of most cases of ALS is unknown, roughly 20% of cases are caused by inheritance of one of a number of genetic mutations.

The genetics behind ALS are complex and more than 25 different genes have been implicated in the disease. The most common known genetic form of ALS is a repeat expansion mutation in the C9orf72 gene.

Get Involved with Research

If you would like information about any of the opportunities listed below, please contact Deborah Morrison.

Ongoing Recruitment

Work in a Lab

Are you a passionate student or post-doc looking making to an impact on Neurogenetic research at the University of Florida? Candidates are encouraged to contact individual CNG faculty members to inquire about research opportunities in the CNG.

three women working side-by-side in the lab

ALS News

ALS Researchers at the CNG

Laura P W Ranum
Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Laura P W Ranum

Kitzman Family Professor Of Molecular Genetics And Microbiology; Director Center For NeuroGenetics
Phone: (352) 294-5209
Eric Wang
Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Eric Wang

Associate Professor
Phone: (352) 273-7601
Lien T Nguyen
Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Lien T Nguyen

Assistant Professor
Phone: (352) 273-5112
Emily K Plowman
Department: MD-SURGERY-TCV-CARDIOVASC

Emily K Plowman Ph.D., CCC-SLP, FASHA

Professor, Department Of Surgery – Division Of Cardiovascular Surgery
Phone: (352) 273-8632
James Wymer
Department: MD-NEUROMUSCULAR NEUROLOGY

James Wymer MD, FAAN

Professor & Division Chief; Melvin Greer Professor
Phone: (352) 273-5550
Tao Zu
Department: Molecular Genetics & Microbiology

Tao Zu

Research Assistant Professor
Phone: (352) 273-5847