April 22, 2002

US industry funds quest for life's vital copper genes

(This cover story was reprinted from the University of Melbourne UniNews article, Melbourne, Australia)

World-recognised research into genes that regulate the vital role copper plays in health has won University of Melbourne scientists funding worth $US100,000 from the US-based International Copper Association (ICA).

The ICA award will fund research by Associate Professor James Camakaris, Head of the University's Department of Genetics, and Dr Philip Batterham, Deputy Director of the Department's Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research (CESAR).

The funding supports a contract-based research program on the use of Drosophila (vinegar fly) as a model organism to identify all the genes and proteins involved in regulating copper balance in organisms.

Copper is a trace element that is essential to most life. In humans it is an absolute requirement for a number of crucial enzymes (biological catalysts) which act to maintain the elasticity of arteries, the strength of bones, the functioning of the brain and the removal of toxic free radicals.

Excess copper, however, is potentially toxic, so living systems must maintain a delicate balance. Chronic copper deficiency can contribute to osteoporosis and degenerative arterial disease.

Copper metabolism disturbances are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and prion disorders such as 'mad cow' disease.

Associate Professor Camakaris has conducted ground-breaking research into the role of copper in human genetic diseases such as Menkes disease, which is due to severe copper deficiency. The research has led to a pre-natal diagnostic test for Menkes disease which is carried out by the Camakaris laboratory.

The ICA-funded research program draws on a unique synergy between the Camakaris and Batterham research groups.

The Camakaris group has a strong international reputation in the area of copper metabolism in mammalian systems and, in particular, inherited diseases of copper transport.

Dr Batterham's CESAR group is a leader in chemical stress research directed to understanding the genetic basis of insecticide resistance and the mode of actions of insecticides.

The CESAR group uses Drosophila as a major model organism because the vinegar fly's genome is one of the best sequenced and annotated genomes and very amenable to genetic and molecular studies.

The Melbourne-based research is part of an international program involving researchers from the USA, UK and Europe to ultimately develop biomarker assays to recognise individuals who might be genetically susceptible to developing copper deficiency or copper toxicity disorders.



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