This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate course at UW-Madison
Research Tools
To further expand the knowledge of OCD and its related genes, there are several methods employed by researchers. The first element of disease research is finding a subject upon which to study. This is often done with model organisms that have been mutated to affect the gene of interest [1]. Several common examples are shown below.
There are also great interest in determining which small molecules are able to interact with the target protein. This can be used to find inhibitory molecules or modifiers that could be developed into more effective treatments and pharmaceuticals [2].
Finally, a visual of gene expression in healthy and disease-affected individuals can be helpful to see which genes are involved in the disorder. This is not only helpful for studying a single protein, but for all proteins that are involved and potentially how they interact with each other. Transcriptomics is able to give a more broad overview of disease expression than single-protein targeted techniques [3].
References
[1] ModelOrganisms - Home. (2012, January 1). Retrieved March 26, 2015, from http://www.modelorganisms.org/
[2] O'connor, C., Laraia, L., & Spring, D. (2011). Chemical Genetics. Chem. Soc. Rev., 40, 4332-4345. Retrieved March 23, 2015, from http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/CS/c1cs15053g#!divAbstract
[3] Sandberg, R. (2013). Entering the era of single-cell transcriptomics in biology and medicine. Nature Methods, 11, 22-24. Retrieved March 24, 2015, from http://www.nature.com.ezproxy.library.wisc.edu/nmeth/journal/v11/n1/full/nmeth.2764.html
Pictures from top to bottom:
https://www.natur.cuni.cz/biologie/ekologie/vyzkum/studovaneorganismy/image
http://www.yin.kit.edu/img/PeptideArrayPrinciple.png
http://und.edu/faculty/darby-brian/_files/images/dge.png
[2] O'connor, C., Laraia, L., & Spring, D. (2011). Chemical Genetics. Chem. Soc. Rev., 40, 4332-4345. Retrieved March 23, 2015, from http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/CS/c1cs15053g#!divAbstract
[3] Sandberg, R. (2013). Entering the era of single-cell transcriptomics in biology and medicine. Nature Methods, 11, 22-24. Retrieved March 24, 2015, from http://www.nature.com.ezproxy.library.wisc.edu/nmeth/journal/v11/n1/full/nmeth.2764.html
Pictures from top to bottom:
https://www.natur.cuni.cz/biologie/ekologie/vyzkum/studovaneorganismy/image
http://www.yin.kit.edu/img/PeptideArrayPrinciple.png
http://und.edu/faculty/darby-brian/_files/images/dge.png