SFARI | Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative

SFARI’s mission is to improve the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders by funding innovative research of the highest quality and relevance.

SFARI

Funding Opportunity 2018 Pilot and Research Awards RFA

SFARI’s 2018 Pilot and Research Awards request for applications (RFA) is now open. Letters of intent are due by December 1, 2017.

BlogSFARI’s 2018 funding priorities

NewsWhole-genome sequencing of the Simons Simplex Collection: New data release

Resources

SFARI is working to advance autism science by providing a number of key resources to researchers.

Cohorts

Simons Simplex Collection

The Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) contains genetic and phenotypic data from nearly 3,000 families with a child affected by autism.

Simons Variation in Individuals Project (Simons VIP)

The Simons Variation in Individuals Project (Simons VIP) is studying individuals with recurrent genetic variants that increase autism risk.

SPARK

SPARK is an online research initiative that aims to recruit 50,000 individuals with autism and their family members living in the U.S.

Models

Mouse models

SFARI is helping to make mouse models of high-risk autism genes and copy number variants available to the research community.

Rat models

SFARI is helping to make rat models of high-risk autism genes available to the research community.

Neural stem cell culture. Fluorescent light micrograph of groups of neural stem cells (neurospheres) in culture. Neural stem cells are able to differentiate into neurons (nerve cells) or support cells (glial cells). They are a potential source of cells to replace damaged or lost brain cells.

iPS cell models

SFARI is helping to make iPS cell lines derived from individuals who participated in the SSC and Simons VIP available to researchers.

Other Resources

SFARI Gene

SFARI Gene is an evolving database for the autism research community that is centered on genes implicated in autism susceptibility.

DNA analysis. Graphs showing the results of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) sequencing.

Data analysis tools

A number of visualization and analysis tools are available to explore genetic and phenotypic data from the SSC.

Therapeutics

Clinical Research Associates (CRA) is evaluating new potential treatments for autism, including R-baclofen and others.

SFARI Base

SFARI Base provides approved researchers with access to data and biospecimens from the SSC, Simons VIP, SPARK and Autism Inpatient Collection.

Autism BrainNet

Autism BrainNet is a collaborative network of academic sites that collects, stores and distributes brain tissue for autism research.

We solicit applications for SFARI Awards from individuals who will conduct bold, imaginative, rigorous and relevant research in four main research areas: gene discovery, molecular mechanisms, circuits, cognition and behavior, and clinical.

View Funding Opportunities

Funded Research

Since its launch in 2003, SFARI has supported over 400 investigators studying autism-related research in the U.S. and abroad. Research projects include studies at the genetic, molecular, cellular, circuit and behavioral levels, in addition to clinical and translational studies.

Research Highlights

Epigenetic mechanisms beyond imprinting are widespread in the mammalian brain

Christopher Gregg and colleagues demonstrate that diverse epigenetic mechanisms affect allele-specific gene expression in the mammalian brain.

SCN2A variants result in opposite effects on sodium channel function in autism and infantile seizures

Kevin Bender and Stephan Sanders show that ASD-associated SCN2A variants lead to impaired Na_V1.2 channel activity and reduced neuronal excitability.

Identification of an amygdala circuit involved in social learning

Amiel Rosenkranz and colleagues have identified a specific intra-amygdala circuit, from the lateral nucleus to the medial nucleus, which is critical for social learning.