Neuromuscular diseases biosample collection

Dr. Staff's research team has collected skin biopsies from hundreds of people with neuromuscular disorders, primarily from those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or hereditary peripheral neuropathy, also called Charcot -Marie-Tooth disease. Many of these skin samples have been reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells, and they are widely available for collaborations with researchers worldwide.

Hereditary peripheral neuropathy and ALS skin fibroblasts and induced pluripotent stem cell production

The Translational Neuromuscular Disease Research Lab identifies, enrolls and collects skin fibroblasts from people with neuromuscular diseases, focusing on ALS, spinal muscular atrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Many of these skin fibroblast lines have been reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells that can then be potentially differentiated into any cell type in the body for further studies.

The lab is using these samples to study chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, spinal muscular atrophy, ALS and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Importantly, these samples are available for use collaboratively throughout the research community.

For more information, email the Mayo Clinic Biotrust.

ALS blood and cerebrospinal fluid

The Translational Neuromuscular Disease Research Lab identifies, enrolls and collects blood and cerebrospinal fluid from people with ALS. These samples are shared with collaborators at Mayo Clinic for detailed mechanistic studies on the pathogenesis of ALS.

Collaborations with Allan B. Dietz, Ph.D. and Michael P. Gustafson, Ph.D., have revealed an altered peripheral blood immune system in people with ALS. This allows people with ALS who come to Mayo Clinic to actively contribute to research studies and the eventual cure of this disease.