A group of Maltese researchers has made a major breakthrough in ALS research after identifying which gene could be targeted to treat or stop the disease.

The research findings of global significance were made at the University of Malta, where the researchers used fruit flies in their studies. Fruit flies share a 75 per cent DNA sequence overlap with humans and are the first genetically-modified multicellular organisms in Malta.

The researchers are reported to have fixated on a gene that is found ‘disrupted’ in a considerable number of ALS patient. When the same gene was ‘switched off’ fruit flies, ALS symptoms began to develop, a first in the regard of animal models.

The study was led by Professor Ruben Cauchi, an Associate Professor of Neurogenetics at the University of Malta’s Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and Head of the ALS/Motor Neuron Disease Lab, together with Dr Rebecca Borg, Angie Purkiss, Rebecca Cacciottolo and Dr Paul Herrera.

ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It leads to the gradual loss of muscle control and eventually results in paralysis and death.

Malta sees an average of 11 new ALS patients every year.

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