Genetic control of neurodegeneration in zebrafish (ZEBRAGEN)
Consortium leader: professor PERTTI PANULA
Neuroscience Center, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Helsinki
Other project leaders of the consortium:
Anna-Elina Lehesjoki, Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki
Jaana Vesterinen, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Helsinki
Doctoral students of the consortium:
Jan Kaslin
Johanna Nystedt
Sanna Partanen
Eija Siintola
Maria Östergård
Other researchers of the consortium:
Oleg Anichtchik, post-doctoral fellow
Nina Aula, post-doctoral fellow
Minnamaija Lintunen, post-doctoral fellow
Nina Peitsaro, post-doctoral fellow
Key words: zebrafish, Danio, translation inhibition, morpholino oligonucleotides, neurodegeneration, confocal microscopy
Project desciption and main results:
Three research groups carry out a multidisciplinary study on key genes involved in neurodegeneration using bioinformatics, molecular biology and gene profiling analyses, as well as translation inhibition in developing zebrafish. Both morphological and behavioral analysis of the fish will be done using novel methods developed in the laboratories of the coordinator. The project combines new algorithms in genome analysis, molecular genetics of neural diseases, application of zebrafish as an experimental model, use of zebrafish mutants, 3-dimensional microscopic analysis of neural system, novel computerized behavioural methods and transcription profiling. A new research environment is created allowing the combination of modern methods on the functional analysis of diseases genes in a number of research areas also outside neuroscience.
We will use new advanced algorithms to identify zebrafish genes related to human neurodegenerative diseases, clone them and inhibit their translation in developing zebrafish to identify the phenotypes in fish and reveal the functions of the genes. We will then compare these phenotypes to those caused by unknown genes in zebrafish mutation screens, and collaborate with MPI groups to identify the respective genes. Using bioinformatics (HMMER analysis), we will identify novel related genes in zebrafish and characterize their functional significance.
As the subject of study, we have chosen a group of genes that are associated with neurodegeneration in mammals, and the functions of which are poorly established. We have initiated the studies by in silico analysis of the zebrafish genome for identification of the genes of interest, and have already cloned some of them. Crucial people have been trained in essential techniques. Other genes may be added as the program has started and results on the first genes are available.
Publications: