Drug Discovery

Animal Model Development

Cell Culture Models and Animal Models of Alzheimer’s Disease

Investigator(s): Ram Ramabhadran, PhD

Institution(s): Tranzyme , Inc

Duration: 2003 - 2005

Summary:

Drug discovery for AD has been limited by several factors, one of the most important of which has been the unavailability of relevant, sensitive cellular and animal models for screen drug candidates. Transgenic technology has permitted the creation of mouse models of AD. However, this is a labor intensive, costly and protracted process. Tranzyme has developed a novel and efficient lenti-virus system for delivering AD-related genes with high efficiency to any mammalian cell type (e.g. neurons), tissue (e.g. brain) or intact animals. Development these rapid and relatively inexpensive cellular and animal model systems will accelerate drug discovery for AD. In this proposal Tranzyme will use its proprietary lenti-virus gene delivery system to create neuronal cell lines for use in high-throughput assays to discover new drugs that inhibit beta-amyloid production. Using similar technology, Tranzyme will create rapid and inexpensive non-transgenic mouse and rat models for AD drug discovery. Development these rapid and relatively inexpensive cellular and animal model systems will accelerate drug discovery for AD.