Basic science research involves studying disease at the molecular or cellular level using test tubes, petri dishes and animal models that mimic diseases in humans. The information gathered from basic science research is fundamental for applying new discoveries to patient care. Basic science research does not necessarily produce results that are immediately relevant for medical care, but the knowledge gained is essential for understanding the changes in cells and molecules that cause disease. The knowledge gained from basic science experiments will help find new ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent human diseases.
At Emory, faculty laboratories are staffed by undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and research technicians who utilize the most sophisticated techniques and technologies to investigate why motor neurons degenerate in people with ALS. Just as important is the development of models of disease where we can test treatments that have the potential for protecting motor neurons in people with ALS.