Rebecca Casterton, PhD

2026 Next Generation Research Grant in ALS

Exploring the Cell Cycle of Neurons in Genetically Inherited ALS

Institution: University of Cape Town, South Africa

Project Summary:

Most cells grow and divide in a continuous cycle of four phases: division by mitosis, a growth phase, DNA replication, and a second growth phase. Due to their highly specialized structure and function, adult neurons typically exit the cell cycle once they mature and enter a non-dividing state called quiescence. This is essential to preserving neuron survival over decades, but recent studies suggest that neurons can temporarily re-enter the cell cycle to protect them from harmful effects of amyloid plaques.

So far, this process of neuronal cell cycle re-entry has mainly been investigated in Alzheimer’s disease studies. Dr. Casterton will be exploring how it might also feature in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), specifically the variant of ALS caused by a mutation in the C9ORF72 gene. She will use imaging tools to understand baseline cell cycle re-entry dynamics in motor neurons, and she will then see if certain cancer drugs could be used to target this process to treat C9ORF72 ALS.

This research is funded by The ALS Association and American Brain Foundation.