Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease which currently lacks rapid and definitive diagnostic tests. Recently identified neuron specific splice variant molecules, Per28 and NFL-60, have been shown to contain unique epitopes and to have altered levels of expression in ALS patients. It is believed that these factors make Per28 and NFL-60 excellent candidate biomarkers for the ALS disease state. In this study, we attempted to develop ELISA assays directed against Per28 and NFL-60, as well as a generalized guideline for splice variant ELISA development, which could be used in a clinical setting. Limitations in currently identified antibodies to the splice variants allowed only for the completion of a Per28 ELISA, which lacked the sensitivity for clinical relevance. This assay creation process, however, did produce a guideline for similar ELISA development, which should allow for the more expeditious creation future ELISA.
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OTU.1807/25578 |
Date | 31 December 2010 |
Creators | Findlater, Joseph |
Contributors | Robertson, Janice |
Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
Language | en_ca |
Detected Language | English |
Type | Thesis |
Page generated in 0.036 seconds