Image caption: The UCI research team is directed by (seated, from left) Frank LaFerla, Andrea Tenner and Kim Green. Other investigators include (standing, from left) Marcelo Wood, Arthur Lander, Grant MacGregor, Ian Smith, Vivek Swarup, Craig Stark, Andre Obenaus and Ali Mortazavi. UCI School of Biological Sciences
Scientists will develop mouse models to help unravel most common form of disease
Irvine, Calif., Sept. 21, 2022 — What began with a $70,000 philanthropic gift 12 years ago has grown into the recipient of a $47 million National Institute on Aging grant for Alzheimer’s disease research at the University of California, Irvine. The funds will be parceled out over five years to a UCI team developing the next generation of mouse models for studying late-onset Alzheimer’s. By inserting human genetic data into the models, researchers can better understand the biology that leads to Alzheimer’s and set the stage for preclinical drug testing.
“This grant – and one preceding it for $16 million – shows how philanthropic donations can play a crucial role in seeding breakthrough ideas and growing them into research that attracts major extramural funding and yields important scientific discoveries,” said Pramod Khargonekar, UCI vice chancellor for research.
