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Identification of Early Biomarkers for Alcohol Related Brain Development Abnormalities

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Dr Nune Darbinian discusses latest research findings at Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center

17 Jul 2016
Lynsey Forsyth
Post Doc / Research Fellow

Editorial article

Dr Nune Darbinian, Research Laboratory Manager at Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, told SelectScience about brain development research that was recently presented at the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group/Research Society on Alcoholism (FASDSG/RSoA) and Society for Neuroscience (SfN) symposia.

Image: synapsis - Copyright Sebastian Kaulitzki

Dr Darbinian’s neurodevelopmental research encompasses both the effects of neuroprotective proteins, such as DING phosphatases, and the effects of neurotoxins, in particular, alcohol and the study of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).

Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center The Center is a collaboration between the Shriners Hospitals for Children and Temple University School of Medicine. The mission of the Center is to do research that will develop therapies for injuries to the nervous system in children, focusing on mechanisms of neural repair and plasticity

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome causes neurodevelopmental abnormalities

FAS, caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, is associated with eye developmental abnormalities but the precise mechanisms underlying in utero neuronal injury have yet to be fully elucidated. Dr Darbinian recently reported, at the RSoA symposium, that eye defects related to prenatal alcohol exposure could be detected in humans as early as 16-weeks of gestation. Although not yet curable, this may provide a useful biomarker of in utero responses to potential treatments of FAS.

Investigating molecular mechanisms of FAS

Dr Darbinian is investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying FAS by examining the destruction and formation of oligodendrocytes and the formation of demyelinated lesions using an in vivo FAS model to study brain developmental abnormalities and have reported on the associated markers, which indicate the involvement of multiple pathways in alcohol induced-neurotoxicity.

In addition, recent data have shown that the neuroprotective agent pDING phosphatase may provide a basis for FAS therapy. Not only for the prevention of neuronal injury but also to reduce neuronal damage associated with alcohol toxicity later in life.


Flow cytometry analysis, using the Guava flow cytometer, will be important to confirm specific regional brain damage and cell-type injury.

Dr. Nune Darbinian  Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center


To investigate these mechanisms Dr. Darbinian uses a combination of gene and protein expression analysis tools and techniques. Gene expression is probed using RT-PCR, quantitative PCR and digital PCR. Protein expression is analyzed using immunohistochemistry on brain samples, quantitative Western blotting, ELISA and flow cytometry using MilliporeSigma’s Guava easyCyte™ systems.

Future perspectives

Using these techniques, the team hope to identify mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental abnormalities, which may contribute to the development of targeted drug therapies, for FAS and related conditions.

Visit the Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center website for more information.

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AntibodiesAntibodies are used in techniques such as confocal and fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistochemistry, western blotting and immunopreciptation. Select specific antigen reactivity, high specific affinity, low non-specific binding, monoclonal or polyclonal, primary or secondary antibodies and associated conjugates such as an enzyme or dye for visualization.ELISAEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), also known as enzyme immunoassays (EIA), are used for the detection and quantification of proteins, peptides and antibodies in a sample. ELISA often comes in kit format, with pre-selected antibody pairs to detect specific proteins or biomarkers of diseases such as diabetes and obesity, or cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Detection is made possible with chemiluminescent, fluorescent or colorimetric substrates and detection instruments such as microplate / ELISA readers. 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Alternative DNA amplification methods also include recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) kits. Find the best PCR kits and thermal cyclers and purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Flow Cytometry / Cell CountingFlow cytometers are used to count, sort and examine multiple characteristics of cells. Other cell analysis equipment includes image cytometers, cell counters, fluorescence-activated cell sorters (FACS), magnetic-activated cell sorters (MACS), and a range of flow cytometry assay kits. Flow cytometers can reveal information on cell viability, cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle progression, as well as identify cell populations and intracellular or cell-surface molecules. Additionally, some flow cytometers, known as FACS, have an additional sorting function after analysis. Cell counters and image cytometers count live and dead cell populations and can also conduct cell proliferation assays. Find the best flow cytometers, cell counters and cell sorters in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Western BlottingWestern blotting equipment is used to transfer and identify specific proteins within a sample, reveal protein modifications, as well as give a semi-quantitative estimation of their concentration. Western blotting equipment includes all apparatus necessary to transfer proteins from gel to membrane and subsequent processing steps. Protein transfer can be performed by electroblotting with wet, semi-dry and dry transfer systems onto nitrocellulose and PVDF membranes. Blocking, washing and labeling of membranes follows, involving buffers, blocking reagents, blotting / incubation trays, labeling reagents, immunoblotting assays, antibodies and conjugates. Automated equipment for these steps is available to accelerate your lab workflow. Finally, detection and imaging of proteins can be conducted using gel documentation and imaging systems. Find the best western blotting equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Biomarker DiscoveryNeurotoxinNeurobiologyNeurobiology studies the biology of the nervous system, including the structure and function of neurons, glial cells, and their interactions. It is a key field in understanding neurological disorders such as Alzheimer�s, Parkinson�s, and schizophrenia. Research in neurobiology is essential for developing therapies for these conditions. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best neurobiology research tools, compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.RT qPCRReal-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is a technique used to measure gene expression and quantify DNA or RNA in real-time. It is essential in genomics, diagnostics, and biotechnology research. Explore RT-qPCR systems in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.dPCRELISAExosomesImmunohistochemistryImmunohistochemistry (IHC) is a technique used to detect specific proteins in tissue samples by using antibodies that bind to target antigens. IHC is widely applied in pathology, immunology, hematology and cancer diagnostics. Explore IHC tools in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.

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