First Joint Research Symposium between CHOP’s Center for Autism
Research and Mt. Sinai’s Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment “Exceeds
Expectations”
A rainy April morning didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of a
group of cross-disciplinary autism clinicians and researchers who convened at
the New York Academy of Medicine for the first in a series of “meeting of the
minds” between two of the country’s leading autism research centers- the Seaver Autism Center of Mount
Sinai Hospital and the Center
for Autism Research (CAR) at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The nearly fifty experts met to share the most recent
developments in their work, with the shared goal of advancing the progress of
science to discover the causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), identify the
mechanisms underlying its signature symptoms, develop drug and behavioral
therapies, and improve medical and legislative policies related to access to
and delivery of services.
As an outgrowth of CHOP and Mount Sinai’s formal
clinical alliance announced in 2015, this autism research collaboration
between CAR and the Seaver Center is a move toward integrating the two health
care networks’ significant research capital. Spearheaded by CAR’s scientific
director, Robert
Schultz, PhD, and the Seaver Center’s director, Joseph Buxbaum,
PhD, the autism research partnership merges not only the expertise of CHOP
and Mt. Sinai researchers, but the Icahn School of Medicine and the University
of Pennsylvania as well.
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| L-R: Alexander Kolevzon, MD, Clinical Director of Mt. Sinai's Seaver Center, Joseph Buxbaum, PhD, Director of Mt. Sinai's Seaver Center, and Robert Schultz, PhD, Director of CHOP's Center for Autism Research |
“One of the hallmarks of autism- and the greatest challenge
to autism researchers- is its heterogeneity. There are myriad combinations of
genetic variants, brain changes, and behavioral outcomes that could present as
autism spectrum disorder in any one individual- and that has slowed progress
for devising new, effective interventions,” said Dr. Schultz. ” Breakthroughs
will only come from being able to see the patterns of genetics, neurobiology,
and behavior across a large group of individuals with autism and related
conditions. A partnership between CAR and Seaver brings us much closer to
achieving this.”
During the morning session of the symposium, each of the
clinicians and researchers were asked to present an “Ignite” talk explaining a
current project or body of work and its potential impact on the understanding
of ASD or developing interventions. These abbreviated “TED”- style talks were
intended to spark ideas for where researchers might join forces to apply novel
research approaches or combine data sets for more robust research
opportunities.
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| Mt. Sinai and CHOP faculty developed the foundations of several new research projects for NIH funding proposals |
During the afternoon session, the attendees were challenged
to form small groups based on these opportunities for connection, and develop a
realistic proposal outline for a coveted NIH R01 grant. For the day’s final
session, each group had to present their proposal to a mock-panel of NIH
reviewers. Amidst a palpable sense of urgency and competition, the four teams
did not disappoint.
“The plans that emerged from this exercise exceeded our
expectations,” said Dr. Buxbaum.”In just a few hours, our clinical and research
faculty identified several real targets for promising lines of research that
could begin almost immediately. We each left feeling challenged and inspired by
the rich partnership that began to take shape today.”
The next joint research day is planned for the Fall in
Philadelphia. Over the next six months, the investigators will continue to
refine their mock proposals with the aim of turning them into funded
collaborative research projects.
