Simons Foundation Autism Research Institute Spark for Autism
Launched in 2006, SFARI is a scientific initiative within the Simons Foundation’s suite of programs. SFARI’s mission is to improve the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders by funding innovative research of the highest quality and relevance.
Funded Research
Since its launch in 2003, SFARI has supported over 400 investigators studying autism-related research in the U.S. and abroad. Research projects include studies at the genetic, molecular, cellular, circuit and behavioral levels, in addition to clinical and translational studies.
Resources
SFARI is working to advance autism science by providing a number of key resources to researchers.
Cohorts
Simons Simplex Collection
The Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) contains genetic and phenotypic data from nearly 3,000 families with a child affected by autism.
Simons Variation in Individuals Project (Simons VIP)
The Simons Variation in Individuals Project (Simons VIP) is studying individuals with recurrent genetic variants that increase autism risk.
SPARK
SPARK is an online research initiative that aims to recruit 50,000 individuals with autism and their family members living in the U.S.
Models
Mouse models
SFARI is helping to make mouse models of high-risk autism genes and copy number variants available to the research community.
Rat models
SFARI is helping to make rat models of high-risk autism genes available to the research community.
Neural stem cell culture. Fluorescent light micrograph of groups of neural stem cells (neurospheres) in culture. Neural stem cells are able to differentiate into neurons (nerve cells) or support cells (glial cells). They are a potential source of cells to replace damaged or lost brain cells.
iPS cell models
SFARI is helping to make iPS cell lines derived from individuals who participated in the SSC and Simons VIP available to researchers.
Other Resources
SFARI Gene
SFARI Gene is an evolving database for the autism research community that is centered on genes implicated in autism susceptibility.
Data analysis tools
A number of visualization and analysis tools are available to explore genetic and phenotypic data from the SSC.
Clinical Research Associates (CRA) is evaluating new potential treatments for autism, including R-baclofen and others.