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1. What gene is deficient in mice induced to get ALS? What does this gene do in a “normal” mouse? (in
other words, why does it induce ALS?)

The gene is called superoxide dismutase (SOD1).Therole of the SOD1 gene is to protect cells by detoxifying them from harmful substances. However, mutation in this gene can provoke the ALS disease to occur, which is what is happening to these mice. Themutations prevent the SOD1 gene from functioning how it normally should, so the change is said to cause harm to the motor neurons in the nervous system. This causes the motor neurons to degenerate,leading to the ALS disease, which attacks nerve cells throughout the body that lead to the brain and spinal cord. The attack on the nerves cause the motor neurons to die, so the brain no longer hascontrol over the muscle movements in the body.


2. How do researchers introduce a new gene into a mouse? There are two methods that are described.
Name them and explain them.

The two ways thatresearchers introduce a new gene into a mouse is by injection or viral delivery. Two neurotrophic factors that were used is because they protect motor neurons. The first one is a protein called vascularendothelial growth factor (VEGF). Its function is to control the growth or and permeability of blood vessels, A virus was created and injected into the mice; this virus is to produce VEGF after itenters a nerve cell. This treatment is used to administer therapeutic proteins to the brain and spinal cord, its travels to the motor neurons and once the virus produces enough VEGF, it should delay theonset and slow the progression of the ALS disease in mouse. Another way that VEGF, is also introduced into the mice is by pumping it into the cerebrospinal fluid of the brain in the mouse, it worksthe same way and this direct administration can protect the nervous system from the disease. The other way a gene is introduced into the mouse is somewhat similar to the VEGF therapy. However, this...