Sex-specific single cell RNA-seq of ALS peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive loss of motor neurons, muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventual death. The disease affects males and females differently. A key feature of ALS is immune system dysfunction in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and outside, in peripheral blood. This study aims to study how immune cells in blood of ALS patients have altered gene expression (the extent to which genes are turned on) compared to healthy participants, with a focus on how biological sex contributes to these changes. We will collect blood samples from ALS patients and healthy individuals, and use advanced single-cell RNA sequencing technology to measure the gene expression pattern in thousands of individual cells. This approach allows us to identify specific immune cell types and pathways that may contribute to ALS progression, as well as differences between males and females with the disease. By addressing key questions about peripheral immune cell involvement in ALS, the project could contribute to better treatment and patient care, which directly support the missions of our partner organization, Alberta ALS Research Network (AARN). The project could also lead to new collaborations between researchers in the AARN network.

Faculty Supervisor:

Gerald Pfeffer;Minh Dang Nguyen

Student:

Partner:

Alberta ALS Research Network

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Calgary

Program: