We propose to leverage our existing biobank of nonhuman primate (NHP) DNA samples to extend our effort to identify potential NHP models for human Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD) through while exome sequencing (WES). This is in response to NOT-AG-20-008. Progress in this pilot project has the potential to rapidly build a significant resource that will facilitate further investigation of AD disease mechanisms as well as accelerate developments related to new treatments. Building on our existing DNA biobank, it is straightforward and cost-effective to extend our current study and build a novel resource for AD/ADRD by performing mutation screening across genes associated with AD/ADRD using WES. Indeed, in our preliminary analysis on a small set of individuals for which we have whole genome sequence data, we found individuals carrying pathogenic mutations in the known human AD gene MAPT. Therefore, the macaque model represents a golden but currently untapped opportunity for innovative research. It is feasible and cost-effective to leverage the existing infrastructure to generate a wide range of novel primate models (breeding lines with informative mutations) that will be invaluable for research concerning pathogenesis and the development of treatments for AD/ADRD.
We propose to leverage our existing collection of nonhuman primate (NHP) DNA samples from California Primate Research Center to extend our effort to identify NHP models for human Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD). Progress in this pilot project will allow us to rapidly build a significant resource that will facilitate further investigation of AD disease mechanisms as well as accelerate developments related to new treatments.
