Posted on October 15, 2004 at 2:15 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Using new robotic technology, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have artificially produced proteins from more than 10,000 roundworm genes. Details of the study are published in the October 15 issue of Genome Research.

The technology sets the stage for advancing genetics studies in the roundworm, a widely used research model in the fields of neuroscience, development and aging. “The roundworm has been used to study pain, aging and diseases, such as cancer, in humans,” said Ming Luo, Ph.D., UAB microbiology professor and associate director of the Center for Biophysical Sciences and Engineering.

The library of proteins created will allow researchers to systematically study the entire gene pool of the roundworm. “It will enable scientists to look at gene changes that occur at the protein level under various conditions, such as changes that occur as neurons age,” Luo said. “This will aid scientists in biotechnology research efforts, such as developing and screening new drugs.”

The study demonstrates the value of this new technology that also may be used to produce synthetic proteins from the genes of other species, including humans. “To produce these proteins by hand would have taken many years,” Luo said. “Also, this robotic technology is much more accurate, minimizing the likelihood of mistakes.”

The two-year project to develop the technology and to produce the proteins was a collaborative effort by scientists at UAB and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Chi-Hao Luan, Ph.D., UAB associate professor of optometry and director of UAB’s High Throughput Facility, was among key researchers.