SFARI | Author: jesse

SFARI February 2022 announcements: Human Cognitive and Behavioral Science request for applications, Autism BrainNet whole-genome sequencing and more

This issue of the SFARI newsletter includes: (1) 2022 Human Cognitive and Behavioral Science — Request for applications, (2) Autism BrainNet: whole-genome sequencing data now available, (3) SFARI announces recipients of SPARK Research Match DEI initiative, (4) SFARI hosts workshop on newborn screening, (5) Highlights of SFARI-funded research, (6) 2022 Pilot Award — Request for applications, (7) Bridge to Independence Award — Request for applications, (8) SFARI Supplement to Enhance Equity and Diversity (SEED) — Request for applications, (9) SPARK Research Match Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity — Request for applications.

SFARI hosts workshop on newborn screening

On September 27, 2021, SFARI convened a one-day virtual workshop to explore and discuss opportunities and risks for early detection of neurodevelopmental disorders through genomic sequencing.

Autism BrainNet: Whole-genome sequencing data now available

Whole-genome sequencing data from more than 50 brains in the Autism BrainNet collection are now available for research purposes. Additional data will be released in the coming months.

Study finds placental hormone is critical for fetal brain development

Anna Penn and colleagues showed that loss of the supply of the hormone allopregnanolone (ALLO) from the placenta leads to cerebellar brain and behavioral deficits in male offspring.

Human derived 3D brain cultures provide insights into brain size changes in 16p11.2 conditions

SFARI Investigators Lilia Iakoucheva and Alysson Muotri and colleagues utilized 3D organoid brain cultures to demonstrate how defects in neuron migration are affected in 16p11.2 deletion and duplication conditions.

New study supports role for disruptions in synapse development and function in ASD

SFARI Investigator Bruce Herring and colleagues showed that ASD-linked mutations in Trio and NLGN1 cause deficits in synapse development and function.

2022 Human Cognitive and Behavioral Science – Request for Applications

SFARI 2022 Human Cognitive and Behavioral Science request for applications (RFA) is now open. Grants awarded through this RFA are intended to produce foundational knowledge about the neurobehavioral differences associated with autism spectrum disorder.

SFARI January 2022 announcements: Pilot Award request for applications, Updates to SFARI’s 2022 requests for grant applications and more

This issue of the SFARI newsletter includes: (1) 2022 Pilot Award — Request for applications, (2) Updates to SFARI's 2022 requests for grant applications, (3) SFARI 2021 Director Awards announced, (4) More than funding: Career development opportunities abound for Bridge to Independence fellows, (5) Simons Searchlight: December 2021 data release, (6) SPARK December 2021 update: New phenotypic and genomic data available, (7) SFARI hosts virtual fall 2021 science meeting, (8) Simons Searchlight CSNK2A1, HIVEP2, MED13L and SETBP1 Family and Scientific Conference, (9) Highlights of SFARI-funded research, (10) Bridge to Independence Award — Request for applications, (11) SFARI Supplement to Enhance Equity and Diversity (SEED) — Request for applications, (12) SPARK Research Match Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity — Request for applications.

Patchy expression of Pcdh19 in female mice causes defects in hippocampal neuron presynaptic development signaling and memory processing

Hisashi Umemori and colleagues showed that X-inactivation-based patchy expression of PCDH19 causes defects in presynaptic development and signaling in the mouse hippocampus, affecting memory processes.

Simons Searchlight: December 2021 data release

New Simons Searchlight data were recently added to SFARI Base. This data release included phenotypic data from individuals with 16p11.2 copy number variants (CNVs), 1q21.1 CNVs, 7q11.23 duplication and variants in 32 single genes associated with autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions.