Amado Lab

The Amado lab specializes in the pathobiologic discovery and development of gene therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related neurodegenerative disorders including frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). Dr. Amado has a strong gene therapy and neurobiology background, completing her PhD in Neuroscience with Dr. Jean Bennett and postdoctoral training with Dr. Alice Chen-Plotkin and Dr. Beverly Davidson before establishing her lab. The lab uses advanced gene modulation strategies, coupled with novel delivery methods that can strongly target the nervous system, to discover and regulate therapeutic targets using cell and animal models of disease. We also focus on the development of tools that can make gene therapies safer, more effective, and more targeted. Importantly, we aim to foster a lab environment of mutual support, inclusion, collaboration, and fun across all levels of training. Clinically, Dr. Amado spends 20% of her time caring for people living with ALS in Penn’s Comprehensive ALS Center, where her experience informs the lab’s research and vice versa. Dr. Amado and her lab are deeply committed to the goal of one day telling patients that there is a disease-modifying treatment to offer.