foxg1 science

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University at Buffalo launches center to find treatments for FOXG1 syndrome

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University at Buffalo launches center to find treatments for FOXG1 syndrome

University at Buffalo announces the launch of the FOXG1 Research Center to study FOXG1 syndrome’s impact on brain development and translate research to treatments for FOXG1 syndrome. The FOXG1 Research Center will be led by leading experts Soo-Kyung and Jae Lee, whose own daughter has FOXG1 syndrome.

“This center will make UB the home of the world’s premier research center devoted to the studies of FOXG1 syndrome, as well as provide our campus with a new neurodevelopmental biology training program and numerous research funding opportunities,” says Soo-Kyung Lee, PhD, Empire Innovation Professor and Om P. Bahl Endowed Professor in the UB Department of Biological Sciences, who will serve as the FRC’s inaugural director as well as the Chief Scientific Officer of the FOXG1 Research Foundation.

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Dr. Soo-Kyung Lee, FOXG1 Research Foundation Scientist, Earns Grant from Simon Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) for Genomics of ASD: Pathways to Genetic Therapies

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Dr. Soo-Kyung Lee, FOXG1 Research Foundation Chief Scientific Officer, named awardee of Simon Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) grant for Genomics of ASD: Pathways to Genetic Therapies

2022 Impact Report

2022 Impact Report

2022 Research Highlights (see details below)

  • Breakthrough gene therapy results showing rescue of FOXG1 brain structure, behavior, memory and cognition symptoms in animal models

  • Positive results on initial compound drug screens to identify molecules to increase FOXG1 levels; now moving forward to larger screens

  • Never-before understanding of FOXG1 biology uncovered from six FOXG1 patient human cell lines and mouse models 

  • Successful testing of guide RNAs to increase FOXG1 expression with a CRISPRa Cas-9 system

  • Discovered ASO sequences (antisense gene therapy) to modulate FOXG1 expression; testing initiated with Creyon Bio  

  • FOXG1 data package presented to several biotech companies with high interest