Drug Discovery & Development
Understanding and Treating Nervous System Dysfunction Using Modified Fly Models
WARF: P120334US02
Inventors: Barry Ganetzky, Daniel Miller, Shannon Ballard
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in using prolonged larval stage Drosophila to model neurological disorders and screen possible treatments in vivo.
Overview
Neurological disorders—ranging from spinal cord injuries to Alzheimer’s disease—are among the most challenging health issues. There is an ongoing need for disease models and screening systems to elucidate underlying mechanisms and identify effective treatments.
The nervous system of Drosophila larvae has proven to be a powerful experimental model for studying the growth and function of neurons and synapses. Significantly, key molecular mechanisms are conserved between Drosophila and vertebrates. Unfortunately, the third instar larval stage of these flies lasts only about three days. This short timeframe has hampered research into longer-term processes such as nerve regeneration and neurodegeneration.
The nervous system of Drosophila larvae has proven to be a powerful experimental model for studying the growth and function of neurons and synapses. Significantly, key molecular mechanisms are conserved between Drosophila and vertebrates. Unfortunately, the third instar larval stage of these flies lasts only about three days. This short timeframe has hampered research into longer-term processes such as nerve regeneration and neurodegeneration.
The Invention
UW–Madison researchers have developed new methods to study such time-dependent neurological mechanisms and to screen for potentially therapeutic small molecules using extended third instar stage (ETI) Drosophila larvae. These flies have been genetically modified to remain in the larval period for up to 30 days but are otherwise normal. Given the longer time window, these ETI larvae can be utilized to identify agents that stimulate nerve regeneration, confer neuroprotection or prevent synaptic degeneration.
For such studies, the ETI larvae are fed test compounds (e.g., from a chemical library) and the functional consequences of the test agent on processes such as neuronal survival, axonal regrowth, and synaptic maintenance are assessed in appropriate assays.
For such studies, the ETI larvae are fed test compounds (e.g., from a chemical library) and the functional consequences of the test agent on processes such as neuronal survival, axonal regrowth, and synaptic maintenance are assessed in appropriate assays.
Applications
- Drug screening, identification of targets and genetic studies
Key Benefits
- Provides a simple, convenient and rapid system for testing potential drugs
- Could help identify new genes and pathways for nerve regeneration and synaptic maintenance
- Enables live imaging, fast and inexpensive assays and definitive readouts
Stage of Development
The researchers have characterized the development, structure and function of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in the larvae. They have found that the time window for studying the flies’ initial response to nerve injury has been increased from hours to multiple days. This has allowed the researchers to observe and characterize new phenomena following nerve damage, including degeneration of synapses, glia proliferation and migration to the injury site, and robust nerve regrowth. They also have developed new models of age-dependent synaptic degeneration in the ETI background.
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
Related Technologies
Publications
- Miller D.L., Ballard S.L. and Ganetzky B. 2012. Analysis of Synaptic Growth and Function in Drosophila with an Extended Larval Stage. J. Neurosci. 32, 13776-13786.
Tech Fields
For current licensing status, please contact Jennifer Gottwald at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9854