Determining Gene Expression Levels in Healthy and Degraded Alpaca Spinal Discs

Authors

Loyd Christensen, Brigham Young University
Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater, Brigham Young University

Keywords

gene expression levels, alpaca spinal discs, Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, IDD

College

Life Sciences

Department

Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Abstract

Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IDD) is a disease estimated to affect between 60 and 90 percent of the total population at some point in life. Evidence of spinal disc degeneration has been shown in 30 percent of individuals under 40 years old, with earliest symptoms visible at 21 years of age; its prevalence only increases with age. Symptoms of spinal disc degeneration account for more than 13 million doctor visits each year and result in costs of more than $200 billion in lost productivity and health-care related expenses in the US alone. Unfortunately, despite these staggering costs, no widely effective treatment has been developed.

Recommended Citation

Christensen, Loyd and Bridgewater, Dr. Laura C. (2014) "Determining Gene Expression Levels in Healthy and Degraded Alpaca Spinal Discs," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 781.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/781