Catharine Rankin, Kurt Haas, Paul Pavlidis and colleagues used machine vision to find that mutations linked to ASD risk genes are associated with changes in habituation of response probability in C. elegans

David Sulzer and colleagues used conditional knockout mice of Atg7, a protein involved in autophagy, to study the effects of loss of autophagy on the structure and function of striatal spiny projection neurons, as well as on behaviors relevant to ASD.

Nael Nadif Kasri and colleagues used micro-electrode array assays to demonstrate common neuronal network phenotypes associated with genes underlying Kleefstra spectrum syndrome.

This issue of the SFARI newsletter includes: (1) SFARI Winter 2020 Pilot awardees, (2) Note to SFARI Investigators regarding COVID-19 epidemic, (3) SFARI 2019 Director awards, (4) Reminder: Limitations on using SFARI Simons Collection data sets and/or biospecimens, (5) SFARI meeting report: DYRK1A family meeting supports parents and scientists alike, (6) Conversation with SFARI Investigator Karen Parker, (7) 2020 SFARI Collaboration on Sex Differences in Autism — Request for applications, (8) Summer 2020 Pilot Award – Request for applications, (9) Highlights of SFARI-funded research.

SFARI reminds all approved Principal Investigators that the use of data sets and/or biospecimens obtained from the SFARI Simons Collection is subject to certain limitations and that these resources cannot be shared or distributed to any other researchers without prior SFARI approval.

SFARI Investigator Karen Parker discusses her preclinical and clinical research on the neuropeptides arginine vasopressin and oxytocin as potential biomarkers and treatment strategies for autism spectrum disorder.

SFARI is pleased to announce that it intends to fund 11 grants in response to the Winter 2020 Pilot Award request for applications.

Joseph Gleeson and colleagues used deep whole-genome sequencing and genotyping of sperm DNA to stratify ASD risk in offspring due to de novo mutation.

Ofer Yizhar and colleagues described the altered dynamics of social representation in neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex of Cntnap2-null mice, a model of autism spectrum disorder.

SFARI is writing to assure you that the health and well-being of your lab members is very much in our minds during the COVID-19 epidemic. We encourage you to do all that is necessary to maintain their health as we face this unprecedented challenge.