Gene Function and Therapies Staff

 Lotti Tajouri

 
  Download MS Microarray Gene List
Multiple Sclerosis is a complex autoimmune disorder of the CNS with both genetic and environmental contributing factors. Clinical symptoms are broadly characterised by initial onset, and progressive debilitating neurological impairment. In our laboratory, we have employed cDNA array hybridization and Q-PCR analysis to examine quantitative, as well as gross qualitative changes in gene expression that may differentiate inflammatory forms of MS plaques. RNA from plaque tissue was isolated from patients who died with MS and compared with patient-matched normal white matter. The data collected in this way was then used to examine patterns of gene expression that differentiate genes and gene clusters, grouped by designated biological function. In this way, 139 genes were identified as differentially regulated in the 5 inflammatory MS plaques examined in this study. A paper has recently been accepted in Brain Research and details to find this paper may be found under 'Published Articles' at this site. At the present time we are currently undertaking the Q-PCR validation of array analysis for several gene candidates likely to play a significant role in MS disease. For one particular candidate of significant interest for MS, we would like in the near future to characterize in depth the involvement of this candidate. These investigations for this project will include genomic association studies using a large collection of blood samples stored in our laboratory and Real time PCR expression studies. If you have been diagnosed with MS and would like to help with our research please go to the "How to Volunteer" section of this web site. We aim, as well, to establish collaboration overseas to investigate this gene in a mouse model of MS disease that we think is of very high outcome in the research field.
Our laboratory is interested in welcoming trainees form all over the world. Please send your CV to my mailbox: l.tajouri@griffith.edu.au