SFARI Investigator Seth Shipman discusses his lab’s research on the molecular and cellular mechanisms shaping brain development and how the Bridge to Independence Award is helping him launch his independent research career.

New data were recently added to SFARI Gene. This data release included updated gene scores for candidate autism risk genes, as well as the addition of new genes and copy number variant loci associated with autism. New mouse and rat models were also added.

SFARI staff and collaborators will be presenting a number of posters about SFARI projects and resources at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) 2019 Annual Meeting in Montreal, Canada (May 1-4).

SFARI Investigators and SFARI science staff will be giving a number of oral presentations at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) 2019 Annual Meeting in Montreal, Canada (May 1-4).

Four current and former SFARI Investigators are among the more than 200 newly elected members of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.

SFARI announces that it has awarded six grants in response to the Genomic Analysis for Autism Risk Variants in SPARK request for applications. These grants will help to advance the understanding of the genetic basis of autism spectrum disorder.

On September 25, 2018, SFARI convened a workshop with the aims of discussing current research on sensory processing in autism and bringing together investigators that conduct animal- and human-based studies to foster opportunities for translational research.

This issue of the SFARI newsletter includes: (1) New SPARK clinical sites announced, (2) Genomic Analysis for Autism Risk Variants in SPARK awardees announced, (3) Additional family meetings of rare genetic developmental disorders planned for summer 2019, (4) Creation of induced pluripotent stem cells from SFARI biospecimen samples – Request for information, (5) SFARI workshop: Coordinating animal- and human-based research on sensory alterations in autism spectrum disorders, (6) Highlights of SFARI-funded research, (7) Summer 2019 Pilot Award – Request for applications, (8) Upcoming lecture: David Van Essen, “Mapping human cerebral cortex: Structure, function, connectivity, development and evolution”, (9) Upcoming lecture: David Ginty, “Altered somatosensory processing in autism spectrum disorders: Mechanisms and emerging therapeutic opportunities”, (10) Recent media coverage of SFARI.

Kyle Kai-How Farh and Stephan Sanders developed a deep-learning method to predict risk mutations that affect mRNA splicing and contribute substantially to neurodevelopmental disorders.