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Grants > The Gene Network Surrounding Drosophila's LRP Homolog Updated On: Jan. 19, 2025
Alzheimer's Disease Research Grant

The Gene Network Surrounding Drosophila's LRP Homolog

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Principal Investigator

Ralph Greenspan, PhD

Neurosciences Research Foundation, Incorporated

San Diego, CA, USA

About the Research Project

Program

Alzheimer's Disease Research

Award Type

Standard

Award Amount

$100,000

Active Dates

April 01, 2004 - March 31, 2006

Grant ID

A2004203

Summary

Understanding the functions of genes related to disease is an important step towards identifying new drug targets, assessing their likelihood of a new drug’s success, and augmenting the effectiveness of existing drugs. Through a knowledge of genes and their network of interactions, one can obtain clues to new drug targets as well as potential interactions that might result in side effects. One of the genes involved in Alzheimer’s disease, low-density lipoprotein-related protein (LRP), is present in the fruit fly Drosophila, and there are fly strains available that carry mutant forms of the gene. Dr. Greenspan has developed a method of testing systematically for interactions between Drosophila’s version of LRP and its other genes. Dr. Greenspan’s research is designed to determine the network of LRP’s relationships with other genes from the large number of existing mutants and genetic strains in the fruit fly. Knowing more about the normal function of these genes could create a new strategy for identifying new and potentially more effective drug targets.