Researchers have already determined that genes play a significant role in the cause of Bipolar Disorder, a debilitating mental illness associated with morbidity, mortality and as a result, a high cost to society. Dr. Alda and his team will conduct follow-up studies on a homogeneous group of patients, who all respond to lithium treatment, to determine what genes affect Bipolar Disorder and its treatment. Finding such genes will have significant implications for understanding the illness, for developing new treatments and for understanding the role of stress and other factors that can trigger the illness in genetically predisposed individuals.
Enzymes are responsible for most physiological chemical reactions.
CTP synthetase produces CTP, which is used for such functions as RNA synthesis and manufacturing cell membranes. Dr. Bearne's research focuses on cloning the gene for -methylaspartase from F. varium to learn about the structure and function of the enzyme and about how the special catalytic group promotes catalysis. The heart is a pump that propels blood cells throughout the body to supply tissues with oxygen and other nutrients and to carry off the waste products produced by the tissues. The pumping action is achieved through forceful contractions of the muscle cells of the ventricle. Dr. McDonald is researching the regulation of these channels because altered channel function, whether caused by genetics, heart disease, clinical drugs, toxic substances, etc., can have serious consequences, including premature death.