A neglected population? Not by us.

JAX is proud to show our stripes this Rare Disease Day, February 28! Scroll to learn more about our rare disease research and read stories from the rare families and organizations that we are proud to work with. Stay in touch by signing up for our rare disease newsletter!

With leading scientists, international networking, precision animal models, and next-generation genetics and genomics technologies, The Jackson Laboratory is investing in the futures of people suffering from rare diseases.

While individually rare (by definition, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S.), rare diseases collectively affect about 350 million people globally, and thus represent a major health issue. About 80 percent of rare diseases are genetic in origin, about half affect children, many are fatal, and very few have cures. Rare conditions are often described as “orphan” because they receive relatively little attention and investment from pharmaceutical companies.

To our researchers, that just does not seem fair. Through the work within the Rare and Orphan Disease Center, our researchers are developing custom genetic tools that bring real hope to families with rare diseases.

Meet Our Rare Disease Scientists

Neuroscientist Cat Lutz, Ph.D., is the director of the Rare and Orphan Disease Center, and she works closely with many rare disease foundations and researchers to support their research and drug discovery goals. Research by Lutz and her collaborators led directly to the development of Spinraza, the first FDA-approved drug to treat spinal muscular atrophy. Now, her team is developing new mouse models for dozens of rare diseases, including SETBP1, Multiple Sulfatase Disorder, Friedreich’s Ataxia, and more.

JAX Professor and neuroscientist Rob Burgess, Ph.D., studies Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, which causes damage to the bundles of nerve cell fibers that connect the brain and spinal cord to muscles and sensory organs. Affecting one in about 2,500 people each year, CMT includes more than 80 different genetic mutations, each with very different disease processes and symptoms. Currently, there are no cures.

JAX Associate Professor Greg Cox, Ph.D., is at the hub of a network of researchers, mouse model experts, clinicians and patient families, all dedicated to finding the genetic causes and potential treatments for neuromuscular diseases. In his own lab Cox focuses on SMA and its very rare variant, spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress (SMARD), as well as ALS and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Press Release November 23, 2020
New SETBP1 rare disease models developed by JAX

JAX has recently developed two new genetic mouse models to be used in SETBP1 rare disease research.
- Rare Diseases
Press Release September 15, 2020
Scaling up the assault on rare diseases

New five-year NIH grant totaling $10.6M funds JAX center to fast-track treatment-focused research for rare genetic disorders.
- Rare Diseases
Search Magazine August 08, 2018
Patient by patient: Finding cures for rare diseases

Four years ago as part of The Burgess Lab at The Jackson Laboratory, Kathy Morelli and a large team of collaborators took on the challenge of creating a cure for Caroline, a young girl who was battling an incurable disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

Search Magazine September 16, 2020
Raising hope for Hasti

Chris Brannigan has recently completed a 700 mile trek barefoot across England to raise awareness for the rare disease affecting his daughter Hasti: Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS). The march took 35 days, but it is only the start of the Brannigan’s rare disease odyssey.
- Rare Diseases
Press Release July 15, 2019
Research team creates new research models for Snyder-Robinson Syndrome

Two new mouse models created to study neurological developments in Snyder-Robinson Syndrome to advance global understanding of this rare disease.
- Rare Diseases
Featured Article October 21, 2018
A new world of opportunity in rare diseases

JAX neuroscientist Cat Lutz, Ph.D., gave a TED-style talk about strides in rare disease research as part of the Laboratory’s JAXtaposition speaker series. Photo by Brian Fitzgerald.
- Rare Diseases