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Zebrafish Assay for Parkinson's Disease Drugs

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R43NS052027-01A2
Agency Tracking Number: NS052027
Amount: $161,135.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: PHS2006-2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2006
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
ZYGOGEN, LLC 24 PEACHTREE CENTER AVE, KELL HALL 520
ATLANTA, GA 30303
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 AMY RUBINSTEIN
 (404) 523-7309
 amy@zygogen.com
Business Contact
 NINA SAWCZUK
Phone: (404) 523-7309
Email: nina@zygogen.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Description: The goal of this research program is to develop a rapid, in vivo assay for screening small molecules for their ability to protect or regenerate neurons in a whole vertebrate organism. In Phase I, dopaminergic neurons in zebrafish embryos, made easily visible by transgenic incorporation of a fluorescent protein, will be exposed to the neurotoxin MPTP. Damage to neurons will be measured based on changes in fluorescence of the neurons. Molecules of known function, as well as novel molecules, will then be tested for their ability to protect neurons or promote neuronal growth in a dose-dependent fashion. Success in this endeavor can be accelerated to allow higher throughput screening in Phase II by using a high content fluorescent imager to quantify changes in fluorescence in a 96 or 384-well plate format. Molecules identified in this system have the potential to serve as novel drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. No current treatments have been shown to prevent the progression of neuronal cell death in Parkinson's disease, increasing the need for innovation in drug discovery in this area. Since current high throughput technologies which utilize cells or explants in culture may not reflect the true in vivo environment, the zebrafish assay will represent a significant innovative advance in compound screening. of research to public health: The goal of this project is develop a fluorescent zebrafish assay to monitor damage to neurons induced by neurotoxins. Drugs that protect neurons from damage may be useful for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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