BREAKING RESEARCH

Harnessing Nanotechnology to Fight Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Professor Troy D. Wood

A nanotechnology developed by Troy D. Wood, UB associate professor of chemistry, has enabled researchers to identify a molecular signature common to both familial and sporadic cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

It is the first time that a common molecular signature has been found in patients with both familial and sporadic cases, where no other family members have ALS. The finding reveals that a peptide found in a gene in spinal cord fluid is common to patients with the disease.

The work was done through a collaboration of UB chemists with scientists studying ALS at California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University, University of California at San Diego and University of Pittsburgh.