1. Identification of MiRNA Driven Regulatory Circuits Involved in Prion-Induced Neurodegeneration
Principal Investigator: Stephanie Booth, University of Manitoba
Co-Investigators:
Leluo Guan, University of Alberta
Stephen Moore, University of Alberta
Luis Schang, University of Alberta
Collaborators:
Manjuanth Swarmy, Harvard Medical School
Project Description:
A number of studies have identified global gene expression changes in prion-infected brain, revealing multiple genes and signaling pathways that may be involved in prion disease pathogenesis. It is extremely important to determine which of these genes and pathways have a ‘cause’ rather than ‘effect’ role in the disease. The recent identification of a novel class of small non-coding RNAs, the microRNAs (miRNAs), has revealed an important new layer of gene regulation. The aim of the proposed study is to identify specific miRNAs and associated gene regulatory circuits that control neuronal survival and apoptosis (neuron cell survival and death) during prion disease. This study will also test the utility of a novel system of delivering small RNAs to the brain to investigate miRNA function in vivo and to explore the use of miRNAs as novel therapies for prion diseases.
(Open Call II)
Last Updated: 4/16/2010 8:27:45 PM
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