Meanwhile, Luesch, a medicinal chemist, seeks to identify proteins that can be modulated by drugs to activate protective genes to prevent neurological age-related disorders.
Collaborating with Alfred Lewin, Ph.D., a professor of molecular genetics and microbiology with the UF College of Medicine, and researchers at Scripps Florida, Luesch will screen genomewide libraries of DNA to find genes that regulate the synthesis of neuroprotective enzymes - proteins that cause or speed up chemical reactions.
Initial screenings will be conducted with researchers at Scripps Florida, followed by detailed studies at UF. The award will allow Luesch to hire a postdoctoral researcher and to acquire instruments for more efficient analysis and gene validation.
"The McKnight Foundation grant will further the opportunity for collaboration with Scripps Florida and among colleges at the University of Florida," Luesch said.
Strengthening research alliances is an important aspect of the McKnight grants, Steindler said.
"The grants allow us to advance the science being done in this institute through collaborations with investigators around the world," Steindler said. "It's important work. As we age, our memory is at risk. If we can devise novel interventions or enhance memory capabilities during the aging process, all of us will benefit."
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Contact: John Pastor
jpastor@vpha.health.ufl.edu
352-273-5815
University of Florida
30-Nov-2005