NINDS 23-012649

The Molecular Neuropharmacology unit focuses on discovering and characterizing novel therapeutic targets for neurologic disorders. As part of the work in the lab, we are characterizing the genetic factors that influence neurodegeneration/neuroprotection in nematode models of Parkinson’s disease. Despite concerted research efforts, no approved disease-modifying therapy exists for Parkinson’s disease. Our lab employs the nematode, C. elegans, as a model organism in the continued search for disease-modifying compounds. The susceptibility of C elegans to RNAi knock-down by feeding makes them the ideal model organism to study genetic modifiers of diseases and other biologic processes. Based on preliminary studies carried out in the lab, we have optimized the organism and will proceed to a high-throughput screening soon. To continue with a genome-wide screen, we need an RNAi library that covers the entire C elegans genome. The Ahringer library is often used in the field. This library covers approximately 90% of the C elegans genome with about 19920 unique genes. NINDS Researcher requires the C. elegans RNAi library to support our ongoing research efforts on high throughput screening for genetic modifiers of neurodegeneration/neuroprotection in Parkinson’s disease using C. elegans as a model organism.