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Call for papers - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: latest advances and novel updates

Guest Editors

Johnathan Cooper-Knock, MD, PhD, University of Sheffield, UK
Alfredo Iacoangeli, PhD, King's College London, UK
Frederik Steyn, PhD, The University of Queensland, Australia
Makoto Urushitani, MD, PhD, Shiga University of Medical Science, Japan

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 5 March 2026 

BMC Medicine is calling for submissions to our Collection on the latest research in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, focusing on its underlying mechanisms, therapeutic advancements, and the impact on patients' lives. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. The exact cause of ALS remains largely elusive, although a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors is believed to contribute to its onset and progression. Research has made significant strides in understanding the pathophysiology of ALS, revealing potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets that could pave the way for more effective treatments and interventions. 

New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Johnathan Cooper-Knock, MD, PhD, University of Sheffield, UK

Dr Cooper-Knock is a neurologist and geneticist focused on the discovery of genetic causes of MND and ALS. His research group uses a combination of big data, machine learning, and cutting-edge technology to find risk genes and place them in their biological context in order to develop new treatments.

Alfredo Iacoangeli, PhD, King's College London, UK

After a career in biophysics, Dr Iacoangeli earned his PhD cum laude in Life Sciences in 2016 from Sapienza University of Rome, where he specialized in structural bioinformatics with a particular focus on protein structure prediction and protein–peptide interactions. In March 2016, Dr Iacoangeli joined King’s College London and currently leads a joint program between the Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience and the Department of Biostatistics & Health Informatics at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. This program has two main objectives: the first, to develop computational approaches to study the biological basis of MND; and the second, the use of large multi-omics and clinical datasets to identify subgroups of MND patients with homogeneous disease causes and clinical phenotypes, enabling precision medicine approaches. He has received multiple awards for his contributions to the field, including the 16th Paulo Gontijo Award in 2024.

Frederik Steyn, PhD, The University of Queensland, Australia

Dr Steyn is a biomedical and translational scientist with over 20 years’ experience in neuroendocrinology, physiology, and neurodegeneration, with a particular focus on MND and ALS. His research bridges fundamental neurobiology and clinical translation, integrating preclinical models, and patient-based studies to investigate how metabolic dysfunction drives disease progression and impacts patient outcomes. Dr Steyn’s work has pioneered the understanding of metabolic alterations in ALS, including co-leading the first clinical trial to demonstrate that metabolic rate can be therapeutically modified in people living with ALS. His research has contributed to the development of metabolism-based interventions and is helping shape guidelines for nutritional and metabolic management in the disease. As Co-Director of the University of Queensland Centre for MND Research, he supports a large, collaborative network dedicated to advancing therapies and improving quality of life for those with MND.

Makoto Urushitani, MD, PhD, Shiga University of Medical Science, Japan

Dr Urushitani is Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology at Shiga University of Medical Science, Japan. He also serves as Director of the Molecular Neuroscience Research Center. Dr Urushitani's research focuses on ALS and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly protein misfolding mechanisms and therapeutic approaches. He currently serves as Director of the Japanese Society of Neurology and Japan Peripheral Nerve Society. Dr Urushitani has received recognition including the Brain Star Award from the Canadian Institute of Health Science and was selected as Best Doctor in Japan (2022-2023). He serves on editorial boards and review panels for international journals and funding agencies, contributing to the advancement of neurological research globally.

About the Collection

BMC Medicine is calling for submissions to our Collection on the latest research in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, focusing on its underlying mechanisms, therapeutic advancements, and the impact on patients' lives. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. The exact cause of ALS remains largely elusive, although a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors is believed to contribute to its onset and progression. Research has made significant strides in understanding the pathophysiology of ALS, revealing potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets that could pave the way for more effective treatments and interventions.  

The urgency of advancing our understanding of ALS is underscored by its devastating impact on patients and families, as well as the considerable healthcare burden it creates. Recent advances in genetic research have unveiled specific mutations linked to familial forms of the disease, while the development of novel therapeutic agents and approaches, including gene therapies and stem cell treatments, holds promise for enhancing patient outcomes. Furthermore, interdisciplinary research into muscle control and nerve cell preservation could potentially yield new insights that improve the quality of life for those affected. 

Continued research into ALS may lead to groundbreaking discoveries that not only deepen our understanding of this complex disease but also translate into innovative treatments that significantly alter its trajectory. Future studies could focus on personalized medicine approaches that tailor interventions based on genetic profiles or specific disease characteristics. Additionally, advancements in neuroimaging and biomarker identification may enhance our ability to detect the disease earlier and monitor its progression more effectively, potentially leading to improved clinical trial design, and more timely and targeted therapies. 

Topics of interest include but are not limited to: 

  • Genetic factors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 
  • Novel therapeutic approaches for motor neurone disease 
  • Muscle control mechanisms in ALS 
  • Impact of lifestyle factors on ALS progression 
  • Neuroprotective strategies for nerve cell preservation 
  • Advancements in disease monitoring and clinical trial design 


All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.   

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Image credit: © SolStock / E+ / Getty Images

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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BMC Medicine encourages submissions of front matter articles and original research, including clinical trials (phase I-III, randomized-controlled, either positive or negative trials), epidemiological studies (retrospective or prospective), systematic reviews and meta-analyses, -omics, medical imaging, genomics studies and translational research. Before submitting your manuscript, please ensure you have read our submission guidelines.

Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection; please select "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: latest advances and novel updates" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.