High Throughput Behavioral Screening Core
The High Throughput Behavioral Screening Core performs small molecule and genetic screening services on a variety of well-validated Drosophila (fruit fly) models of human neurological diseases. These include Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s and Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxias, myotonic dystrophy type 1, lysosomal storage disorders etc. A number of robust quantitative assays have been designed and developed to enable large chemical and genetic screens. Importantly, these assays are not based on traditional cell death phenotypes, which fail to take full advantage of screening at the organismal level, but rather on neuronal dysfunction assays based on quantitative behavioral readouts.
Core Supported Research
Small molecule screening
- Genetic screening for target identification
The Core performs the following experimental operations:
- Amplification, collection and sorting of Drosophila models of human neurological disease for testing
- Preparation and daily dispensing of small molecule compounds
- Daily analysis of behavior of animals with treatment of small molecules
- Statistical analysis and documentation of behavioral results
For technical, scheduling or pricing questions, please contact the Core Director.
Core Director
Juan Botas, Ph.D.
- Email: jbotas@bcm.edu
- Phone: 832-824-8139
- Fax: 832-825-1273
Baylor College of Medicine
Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital
1250 Moursund St., Suite 1070
Houston, TX 77030
