Leaping Forward: Our Groundbreaking Tadpole Model

Thanks to our generous supporters, we are able to invest in research projects with such profound potential like our new tadpole model. We are honored to have received over $40,000 in donations from Giving Tuesday and at year-end!

Contributions are directly funding our groundbreaking research, which holds the promise of both teaching us foundational insights about the FAM177A1 gene and establishing a vital platform for testing promising treatments.

Thanks to our generous donor support, FAM177A1 is funding a grant that supports a dedicated PhD candidate to focus solely on accelerating FAM177A1 research using the pioneering model organism: frogs.

Why is Research on Animal Models so Important?

To truly conquer a disease, we must first understand it, and we must do so safely. Models of human diseases—whether they are tiny cells in a dish or small organisms—are absolutely critical. They allow scientists to replicate the changes caused by a genetic disorder and observe the resulting effects in a complex, living system. This work is the essential bridge that connects a discovery in a lab to a real, safe, and effective treatment for a patient.

Why the Tadpole Model is a Game-Changer

The little Xenopus tropicalis tadpole is one of the most powerful and exciting tools available to modern genetic researchers.

• Speed and Scale: Tadpole embryos develop externally and very quickly. This allows researchers to rapidly introduce genetic changes—like the FAM177A1 patient variants—and observe the effects on development, behavior, and the nervous system in just a few days or weeks. 

• Genetic Similarity: Despite its appearance, the tadpole shares a surprising amount of genetic and molecular similarity with humans, especially regarding fundamental developmental and neural processes. Changes seen in the tadpole often reflect what happens in human patients. The early frog models of FAM177A1 disorder have demonstrated changes that are similar to FAM patients! 

• Testing Power: The embryos are easily accessible and transparent, making it easy to monitor the effects of potential drug treatments on the developing nervous system in real time. This gives it the potential to be an ideal, high-impact model for screening new therapies.

We believe this research is setting the stage for a giant leap toward understanding and treating FAM177A1 Disorder, thanks to our fantastic frog model!

Our Brilliant Research Team

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the brilliant Rosie Currams to the FAM Research Family! Rosie will be dedicating her PhD research entirely to this FAM177A1 project. She will be working under the guidance of two highly regarded leaders in this field, Dr. Annie Godwin and Professor Matt Guille, at the University of Portsmouth in the UK. With this world-class team, we are more optimistic than ever about the future of FAM177A1 research!

"I’m excited to continue working on developing the FAM177A1-related neurodevelopmental disorder frog model! I'm extremely proud to work on such an important project, with hopes to contribute towards better understanding of this disorder, improving diagnosis and outcomes for these children and their families." 

- Rosie Currams, PhD

Please join us in welcoming Rosie to the FAM!

Thank you again to our donors’ tireless support and generosity, which makes this significant leap forward in understanding and fighting FAM177A1 possible!