The objective of this project, conducted at BASF Bioresearch Corporation, was to identify specific genes upregulated by interleukin-18, a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Expression profiling was performed using cDNA microarray technology to identify surrogate markers for IL-18 bioactivity in human KG-1 monocytes. In addition to determining specific candidate genes, the microarray technology was optimized through numerous experiments to minimize variability inherent in the technique and to maximize the efficiency in reporting induced genes. As a result of this project, two genes were verified as being consistently upregulated by IL-18, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 precursor (ICAM-1) and interferon gamma-induced protein precursor (gamma-IP10).

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Weymouth, Holly

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 00D100M

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2000

Date created

• 2000-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright