Ice Bucket Challenge allowed an important step in ALS research

The "Ice Bucket Challenge" was a social media sensation in the summer of 2014, with people across the world dumping cold water on themselves to raise money and awareness for ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

But in the last hours the famous initiative has been able to produce something even more concrete because, as reported from the ALS Association, one of the research projects funded through the initiative has resulted in a remarkable discovery in the fight against ALS: the scientists of Project MinE for gene sequencing have identified a new ALS gene, NEK1, which is now considered one of the most common genes that contribute to disease. This will provide scientists a new potential target for the development of therapies.

Brian Dickie, Director of Research Development at the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association said: “We are pleased to have been involved since this approach to gene hunting was in its infancy a decade ago.

“It’s so encouraging to see how the collaboration, catalysed by Project MinE, has grown and is now delivering results that will open up new avenues of research across the world.”