Browsing by Subject "Spinal Muscular Atrophy"
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Item Actin Isoforms in neuronal structure and function(2011-07) Cheever, Thomas R.The actin cytoskeleton plays critical roles in nearly every aspect of neuronal development and function. During these processes, the localized polymerization of actin is one mechanism employed to carryout crucial tasks for normal neuronal function. While the activity of actin binding proteins is generally thought to be the primary mediator of spatially restricted actin polymerization, another prominent mechanism involves the local translation of β-actin, one of two actin isoforms expressed in neurons. The localized translation of β-actin has been shown previously to be essential for growth cone guidance in cultured neurons. Additionally, defects in the localization of β-actin have been implicated in the motor neuron disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). However, no study to date has directly examined the role of β-actin in a mammalian in vivo system. Although the functions of β-actin were thought to be critical for all neurons, the work described in this thesis indicates that specific functions of β-actin are surprisingly confined to select populations in the central nervous system (CNS). β-actin is not required for motor axon regeneration or motor neuron function, but is required for the proper structure of the hippocampus, cerebellum, and corpus callosum, as well as hippocampal-associated behaviors. Thus, the work described here provides the first direct demonstration of specific roles for β-actin in vivo and presents a model to translate provocative findings in cell culture to the mammalian CNS.Item Applications of Digital PCR in Clinical Diagnostics(2023-06) Vidal-Folch, NoemiGenetic testing has become increasingly relevant to advanced precision medicine for carrier screening, genetic susceptibility, and molecular diagnosis of human disease. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) is considered the gold-standard technique for detection and quantification of nucleic acids. Yet, significant qPCR shortcomings are described including poor reproducibility, insufficient limit of detection, low tolerance to inhibitory substances, and reliance on reference material for calibration, which hinder standardization of qPCR assays across laboratories. Digital PCR (dPCR) has emerged as a novel molecular technology that promises unsurpassed sensitivity and precision while overcoming most qPCR limitations. Sample partitioning and digital counting in dPCR enable rapid and accurate absolute quantification of molecular markers without the need for standard curves. In this work, new analytical dPCR protocols were successfully developed, validated, and implemented for three important conditions: (1) quantification of ultra-low-levels of congenital cytomegalovirus in dried blood spots, urine and saliva of newborns, (2) genotyping and quantification of mitochondrial variants associated with aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss in individuals with cystic fibrosis, (3) multiplex quantification of SMN1 and SMN2 genes for newborn screening, carrier screening, and diagnostic testing of spinal muscular atrophy. Altogether, these studies demonstrate that dPCR provides enhanced sensitivity and reproducibility in the detection and quantification of nucleic acid with reduced background and minimal effect of PCR inhibitors. The low-cost high throughput workflow makes dPCR amenable for numerous applications. The advent of dPCR in clinical diagnostics can revolutionize genetic testing by enabling early detection and disease prevention, both critical for timely treatment and improved health outcomes in patient care.