Project Summary

Christine Marx, M.D., M.A. (Young Investigator 2004) of Duke University, notes that the expression of genes leads to the formation of proteins, and proteins are critical components of most biological events and determine cell function. They are also the targets of most drugs. Therefore the understanding of proteins and their actions is a single cell may express tens of thousands of proteins at any given point in time, thus making the study of proteins very complex. Additionally, proteins may undergo up to 200 different chemical reactions that frequently alter protein function. Using a powerful technology called mass spectrometry, Dr. Marx will characterize the plasma protein profiles of 24 patients with schizophrenia and 24 healthy subjects to determine if a single protein or a cluster of proteins distinguish these two groups. The identification of unique schizophrenia protein “biomarkers” could increase the understanding of disease vulnerability, progression, therapeutic response and new treatments.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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