Fly model aids ataxia-telangiectasia research

Scientists are working to understand the genetic mechanisms behind ataxia-telangiectasia, a progressive, degenerative disease that affects many body systems. It is known that the ATM protein is fundamental to repairing DNA damage, and that people with ataxia-telangiectasia have chromosome damage. A researcher at the University of Alberta, Dr. Shalegh Campbell, has been studying fruit flies with an ATM mutation. She found that the fruit flies with the mutation displayed the major symptoms of ataxia-telangiectasia. She is continuing her research on how ATM works with the goal of perhaps opening an avenue for treatment for the disease. This research was published in the August 10, 2004 issue of Current Biology.