(DISEASE MODELING UNIT) The C-PAM Disease Modeling Unit (DMU) supports the UAB Center for Precision Animal Modeling (C-PAM) by creating and validating innovative animal models that recapitulate patient disease at both molecular and phenotypic levels so that we can better understand disease pathogenesis and make highly relevant models ready for preclinical testing. Based on input from Preclinical, Bioinformatics, and Coordinating Sections, the DMU creates patient driven variant alleles in model organisms including C. elegans, zebrafish, mice, and rats to functionally analyze nominated human variants suspected of causing disease. The resulting innovative models are subject to rigorous and standardized phenotypical characterization prior to distribution by the Resource and Services Section. The DMU focuses initially on demonstration projects related to disease models and pathways associated with several areas of strength at UAB including ciliopathies, cohesionopathies, and rasopathies, neurological/ neurodevelopmental, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and immunological disorders. Community nominated projects selected for genetic model development begin in year 2 with generated models thoroughly characterized by the team of investigators associated with C-PAM and the nominating clinician or researcher.
