Word: gusella
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...search coordinated by Wexler's foundation, geneticist James Gusella of Massachusetts General Hospital discovered a particular piece of DNA, called a genetic marker, that seemed to be present in people suffering from Huntington's disease. His evidence suggested that the marker must be near the Huntington's disease gene on the same chromosome, but he needed a larger sample to confirm his findings. This was provided by Wexler, who had previously traveled to Venezuela to chart the family tree of a clan of some 5,000 people, all of them descendants of a woman who died of Huntington's $ disease...
...grant from E.R. Squibb and Sons will support the center's Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory research in molecular biology and techniques designed to identify and treat neurologic diseases. The Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory, headed by Dr. James F. Gusella, is the largest of the center's 11 laboratories...
...over many generations. After three years of work, they isolated two genetic markers, or molecular signposts, on chromosome 21 that are located close to the still unknown gene responsible for the inherited form of the disease. "The identification of these markers overcomes a major hurdle," says M.G.H. Neurogeneticist James Gusella, who directed the research. "This is the first step toward the identification of the primary cause of the disease." (Gusella has another claim to fame: he headed the group that in 1983 found the long-sought marker for Huntington's disease...
...further research proves that the amyloid protein is the cause of Alzheimer's rather than just a symptom of the disorder, researchers could begin the search for a drug to curb its production. The markers found by Gusella's team could lead to even more immediate results: isolation of the gene that causes familial Alzheimer's. And this would enable doctors to identify some victims of the disease before their symptoms appear...