ERVK as an ALS biomarker

The Endogenous retrovirus-K (ERVK) group are retroviruses which are found in human DNA and are linked to the disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Research has found that ERVK is more active in the brains and spinal cords of ALS patients. ALS is a disease that results in a patient’s gradual paralysis and for which there is no cure. As well, ALS is difficult for doctors to diagnose as there is no one test to determine if a patient has the disease. For this reason, I will be investigating the utility of measuring the levels of ERVK proteins in patient blood samples as an ALS biomarker. As ERVK is shown to be active in ALS, I predict that levels of ERVK protein found in a patient’s blood will be correlated to the severity of their disease symptoms. If this is the case, ERVK has the potential to be developed as a biomarker to help diagnose ALS earlier in patients and lead to earlier interventions and treatment.

Faculty Supervisor:

Renée Douville

Student:

Partner:

Flinders University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Winnipeg

Program: