Discipline: Computer Sciences and Information Management
Subcategory: Computer Science & Information Systems
Session: 1
Room: Exhibit Hall A
Kaejaren Caldwell - Jarvis Christian College
The human body is composed of many different systems that help it function properly. The brain is the control center of these various systems. Inside the brain, neurons connect and communicate at synapses, where chemicals called neurotransmitters carry information from one cell to another. Alzheimer’s is a disease that destroys neurons and synapses , thus disrupts the relaying of signals. Once the pathways are destroyed, symptoms begin to appear such as memory loss and loss of speech. Current medications cannot cure Alzheimer’s disease, but may lessen symptoms by affect the signaling that occurs between neurons. For example, Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of a chemical messenger (acetylcholine) important for learning and memory. The levels of this chemical are low in the brains of people with AD. The use of these drugs can partially correct the deficit. Alzheimer’s patients can benefit substantially from new drugs. However, the search for these drugs can be slow and expensive. Furthermore, understanding how these drugs interact at the molecular level is difficult because their small scale. In this research study, three dimensional (3D) models of drug molecules are created to facilitate the study of molecules? interactions with biological targets in in the brain. Using computer and augmented reality technology, large-scale virtual drug molecules are produced, which will allow scientists to more quickly identify potential drug candidate for treating Alzheimer?s disease, with less cost and time.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF, Mississippi Valley State Unistersy STEM-UP-LATE program
Faculty Advisor: Shakhawat Bhuiyan, sbhuiyan@jarvis.edu
Role: I complete all parts of this research