Federal Grant Award Summary

Mayo Clinic Jacksonville received a $622,792 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders (CFDA 93.853) program, effective May 20, 2026, with a completion date of April 30, 2031. The award supports a multi-omic research initiative investigating transcriptomic and genomic signatures across the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease spectrum, including primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) and progressive muscular atrophy (PMA). The research will identify dysregulated transcripts and pathways that differentiate upper motor neuron versus lower motor neuron pathology through acquisition and analysis of transcriptome data from post-mortem motor cortex specimens using bulk and single-nuclei long-read sequencing technologies.

The funded research will deliver comprehensive genomic studies utilizing long-read whole-genome sequencing to uncover previously undetected genetic causes and risk factors in ALS spectrum disorders. By employing advanced sequencing methodologies capable of resolving highly repetitive and complex genomic regions, the project aims to reveal the genetic architecture underlying these neurodegenerative diseases, identify cell-type-specific gene expression and splicing changes, and characterize vulnerable neuronal populations. These research deliverables will advance fundamental understanding of ALS pathogenesis and support development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for patients across the ALS disease spectrum.