HSCI scientists have discovered that a recently approved medication for epilepsy may possibly be a meaningful treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)--Lou Gehrig's disease, a uniformly fatal neurodegenerative disorder. The researchers are now collaborating with Massachusetts General Hospital to design an initial clinical trial testing the safety of the treatment in ALS patients.

 

The work, laid out in two related papers in the April 3 online editions of Cell Stem Cell and Cell Reports, is the long-term fruition of studies by Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) Principal Faculty member Kevin Eggan, PhD, who, in a 2008 Science paper first raised the possibility of using ALS patient-derived stem cells to better understand the disease and identify therapeutic targets for new drugs. Continue reading. 

Last fall, M. William "Willy" Lensch, PhD, the long-time director of HSCI's Internship Program, was named executive director of the Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (HSCRB).  

 

Lensch brings to the position experience directing the day-to-day operations of one of Boston Children's Hospital's largest laboratories, that of HSCI Executive Committee member George Daley, MD, PhD, as well as a personal interest in higher education. He spoke with HSCI about his new role: Read the interview.