Real-time quantitative PCR system for the study of mental and neurological disorders

旨在破译大脑功能的研究对于理解精神和神经疾病至关重要。由于涉及到高度复杂的过程，因此需要准确而有效的方法来监控细胞功能。特别是，人们需要评估基因表达变化在各种病理条件下的影响，以及对药物和感染的反应。实时聚合酶链式反应技术是研究基因表达的首选方法，因为它允许对大量非常小的样本进行工作，并提供非常准确的测量。我们希望将这项技术应用于我们研究计划的各个方面。Cermakian博士研究生物节律及其与各种生理过程的联系，比如睡眠和对病原体的反应。卢赫希博士研究与大脑炎症反应有关的分子。斯里瓦斯塔瓦博士的目标是了解精神分裂症和药物成瘾背后的分子机制。所有这些研究计划都将受益于所要求的研究关键分子事件(如正常和病理基因表达)的设施。

Research aimed at deciphering brain function is critical for understanding mental and neurological disorders. Since highly complex processes are involved, accurate and efficient ways of monitoring cell functions are needed. In particular, one needs to assess the effects of altered gene expression in various pathological conditions, as well as in response to drugs and infection. The real time PCR technique is the method of choice to study gene expression because it allows working on large numbers of very small samples and it provides very accurate measures. We wish to apply this technique to various aspects of our research programs. Dr. Cermakian studies biological rhythms and their links to various physiological processes like sleep and response to pathogens. Dr. Luheshi studies molecules involved in the response to inflammation in the brain. Dr. Srivastava aims at understanding molecular mechanisms behind schizophrenia and drug addiction. All these research programs will benefit from the requested facility to study critical molecular events like normal and pathological gene expression.