Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common incurable adult-onset motor neuron disease, characterized by progressive neurodegeneration of upper and lower motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord. There are two subtypes of ALS, sporadic and familial. Sporadic ALS constitutes 90-95% of all cases and a multitude of genetic and environmental risk factors contribute. Familial ALS accounts for the remaining 5-10% and are due to an inherited gene mutation within the family. Patients with ALS slowly lose the ability to initiate and control voluntary muscle movement which results in debilitating symptoms of muscle weakness and atrophy. This makes it difficult for patients to speak, eat, move, and breathe, and respiratory failure is the primary cause of death within 3-5 years post-symptom onset. The U.S FDA has approved four drugs to treat ALS-related symptoms (Riluzole, Nuedexta, Radicava, and Tiglutik), but there is still no cure for ALS. With advancements in scientific techniques, the Ravits basic research lab aims to learn more about ALS pathobiology and molecular mechanisms underlying the disease in order to identify therapeutic targets for clinical development and translation into patients.