Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative
![]() | |
Founded | 2003 |
---|---|
Founders | James Simons, Marilyn Simons |
Legal status | private organization |
Headquarters | New York City |
Services | Research |
Kelsey Martin | |
Website | www |
The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, or SFARI for short, is a research program established in 2005 by the Simons Foundation, which focuses on all aspects of autism research. Its director is Kelsey Martin.[1] The organization has funded more than $200 million in autism research to 150 different investigators since 2007.[2] The awards they give out include Pilot Awards (for innovative high-impact proposals for experiments still in the preliminary stages), Research Awards (for research into a topic which has already been investigated at least preliminarily), and Explorer Awards (which provides grants for focused experiments on a one-time basis).[3] One specific type of research they specialize in is mouse models of autism, which they are trying to make more available in cooperation with the Jackson Laboratory.[4]
SFARI Gene is an integrative model with a publicly available web portal for the ongoing collection, curation and visualization of genes linked to autism disorders. The content originates entirely from the published scientific literature. SFARI Gene also provides a comprehensive collection of animal models linked to autism.[5] The Simons Simplex Collection is a sample gathered by SFARI from over 2000 families for identifying de novo genetic variants that contribute to the overall risk of autism.[6]
In 2016, SFARI launched Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research (SPARK), an online research initiative designed to become the largest autism study ever undertaken in the United States. For researchers, SPARK provides a large, well-characterized cohort of genetic, medical and behavioral data, and will result in cost-savings for researchers by reducing start-up costs for individual studies.[7]
Spectrum[]
In 2008, SFARI launched Spectrum, an Autism research news website, as the "News & Opinion" section of the SFARI website.[8] In the summer of 2015, Spectrum was spun off of SFARI as an independent online news entity.[8]
References[]
- ^ "Kelsey Martin to lead the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, Neuroscience Collaborations". Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ About SFARI
- ^ "Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative Invites Letters of Intent for Pilot and Research Awards". Philanthropy News Digest. Foundation Center. 4 November 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
- ^ Autism mouse models
- ^ Banerjee-Basu, S.; Packer, A. (8 March 2010). "SFARI Gene: an evolving database for the autism research community". Disease Models & Mechanisms. 3 (3–4): 133–135. doi:10.1242/dmm.005439. PMID 20212079.
- ^ Fischbach, Gerald D.; Lord, Catherine (October 2010). "The Simons Simplex Collection: A Resource for Identification of Autism Genetic Risk Factors". Neuron. 68 (2): 192–195. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2010.10.006. PMID 20955926.
- ^ Shumaker, Laura (21 April 2016). "SFARI Launches SPARK, Nation's Largest Research Initiative for Parents, Children and Adults with Autism". San Francisco Gate. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ a b "About Spectrum". Spectrum | Autism Research News. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- Autism stubs
- Autism-related organizations in the United States
- Organizations based in New York City
- Scientific organizations established in 2005
- 2005 establishments in New York City
- Mental health organizations in New York (state)