"If we are able to predict which children are threatened by specific life events, we can take special precautions to limit their exposures," said Amaral. "We could also begin therapeutic interventions long before any serious symptoms are observed. In this way we would hope to diminish or eliminate the possibilities of certain children developing autism."
The laboratory will be housed initially at the UC Davis Cancer Center, which will also conduct cancer research at the facility, until the M.I.N.D. Institute opens its new research laboratories in 2002. Jeffrey Gregg, an assistant professor of pathology, will operate the new lab. Paul Hagerman, a physician and molecular biologist recently recruited to the M.I.N.D. Institute and the Department of Biological Chemistry from the University of Colorado, spearheaded the laboratorys development and will take the lead in developing a comprehensive biomarkers research program. Improving on existing technology to develop effective treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders is a major focus of the lab.
"We initially will be looking to develop faster and more accurate blood tests to identify which infants may be at risk for developing autism," said Hagerman. "The technology used for the California Birth Defects Monitoring Foundation study, while accurate, is both labor intensive and limited in scope. The new genomics facility will allow us to dramatically broaden our search. Our goal is to gain important information about biomarkers so that we can ultimately develop effective treatments for autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders."
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Contact: Carole Gan
cfgan@ucdavis.edu
916-734-9047
University of California, Davis - Health System
1-Jan-2001