Robi Mitra and colleagues have developed a scalable CRISPR/Cas9 RNA sequencing assay in a human neuronal differentiation cell model, enabling high-throughput assessments of how repression of ASD risk genes affects transcription and neuronal differentiation.

The Simons Foundation is delighted to announce that neuroscientist Kelsey Martin will be the next director of SFARI. Starting in September 2021, she will helm SFARI’s continuing work to improve the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders by funding innovative high-quality research.

This issue of the SFARI newsletter includes: (1) 2021 Genomics of ASD: Pathways to Genetic Therapies – Request for applications, (2) 10 years of Simons Searchlight: Advancing research on autism and genetic neurodevelopmental conditions, (3) 2021 Autism BrainNet Appreciation Award: Recipients announced, (4) SFARI continues support of Summer Undergraduate Research Program, (5) SFARI presentations at INSAR 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting, (6) SFARI workshop explores the use of rat models in autism research, (7) Highlights of SFARI-funded research, (8) SFARI Supplement to Enhance Equity and Diversity (SEED) — Request for applications, (9) SPARK Research Match Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity – Request for applications, (10) Past lecture: Jake Gratten and Naomi Wray, “New research results from the Australian Autism Biobank Study, (11) Past lecture: Federico Bolognani, Stuart Cobb, Yael Weiss, and Randal Carpenter, “Small molecules, genes and antisense oligonucleotides: Industry perspectives on treatment development for ASD, (12) Past lecture: David Ledbetter, Joseph Buxbaum, and Heather Mefford, “What do we mean by ‘autism risk genes?”

Grants awarded through this RFA are intended to capitalize on the rat as a model system to advance our understanding of the behavioral and circuit neuroscience mechanisms driving autism.

On April 26 and 29, 2021, SFARI and the Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain hosted a virtual workshop that focused on the use of rats as a model system for autism spectrum disorder. The workshop discussed advantages and limitations of using rat models, evaluated the need for cross-species studies and considered strategies to move the field forward.

In conjunction with leading universities across the county, SFARI works to provide undergraduates with an opportunity to advance their careers in autism science while promoting diversity in the field through the Summer Undergraduate Research Program.

SFARI announces the recipients of the Autism BrainNet Appreciation Award, a new honor that recognizes outstanding partners and collaborators for their dedication to advancing brain tissue research in autism.

Ten years after its launch, Simons Searchlight counts a community of 4,000 families, encompassing more than 150 genetic neurodevelopmental conditions. Thanks to the dedicated, highly motivated families who have participated in research, genetic and phenotypic data and biospecimens have been collected for several of these conditions, providing researchers with invaluable resources to advance the understanding of autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions.

The International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Virtual 2021 Annual Meeting was held May 3–7, 2021. A selection of presentations by SFARI Investigators, SFARI staff and collaborators are highlighted here. Virtual content is available online until early June 2021 (for registered meeting participants only).

Elizabeth Jonas and colleagues identified a molecular mechanism underlying the contributions of mitochondrial dysfunction to the synaptic and behavioral features associated with fragile X syndrome.