Ace Therapeutics is dedicated to leveraging advances in psychiatric genetics to assist our clients in comprehending the genetic underpinnings of psychiatric disorders and translating these emerging discoveries into potential innovative therapies.

We utilize the ongoing discovery of genetic variants associated with psychiatric disorders as a starting point, and employ comprehensive animal studies, cell biology experiments, advanced biological techniques, and statistical analysis tools to assist our clients in understanding the genetic etiology of psychiatric disorders. These results are expected to improve mental healthcare, particularly through the development of improved diagnostic classification systems, the discovery of new therapeutic targets and biomarkers, and the advancement of precision psychiatry.

Introduction of Genetics Mechanisms Research Services for Psychiatric Disorders

Ace Therapeutics employs the latest genetic research methods to conduct comprehensive analyses of the genetic mechanisms of psychiatric disorders. Our primary objective is to translate human genetic discoveries into biological mechanisms, thereby enabling our clients to gain insight into the underlying causes of psychiatric disorders. Our experienced experts utilize customized animal models and integrated models of cellular and tissue circuits to assist our clients in comprehensively exploring the relationship between genetic/epigenetic structure and biological function and behavior in the context of psychiatric disorders. Our high-quality services will provide you with valuable insights in the following areas:

• Explore how genetic susceptibility factors influence the neurobiological basis of psychiatric disorders.
• Identify specific causal variants behind genetic signaling of psychiatric disorders.
• Determine the functional impact of genetic variants in psychiatric disorders.
• Determine how all genetic risk variants work together to collectively influence specific cell types, tissues and organs, biological pathways across developmental stages, and in combination with environmental factors.

Genetics Mechanisms Research Strategies for Psychiatric Disorders

Recent advances in molecular biology have enabled the identification of hundreds of common and rare genetic variants that contribute to psychiatric disorders. Ace Therapeutics recognizes that studying individual genes in isolation may not be sufficient to understand the pathogenesis of common psychiatric disorders and that it should be replaced with approaches that address the complex interplay of the genome and other risk factors in shaping phenotypic outcomes. Consequently, we employ sophisticated techniques such as epigenetics, functional genomics, and behavioral experiments to gain a deeper understanding of the genetics of psychiatric disorders from multiple perspectives.

Our focused research strategies include the following:

Epigenetic Mechanisms Research Service for Psychiatric Disorders

Using genomics and proteomics technologies, we study in animal models how DNA sequence changes and epigenetic modifications lead to changes in protein function. Also, by studying how these changes in turn affect brain function and behavioral changes that lead to the development of mental disorders.

Functional Genomics Research Service for Psychiatric Disorders

Since current explanations of genetic mechanisms are limited by an incomplete understanding of the physiological roles of most genes and proteins, including how they interact in signaling networks and pathways. Ace Therapeutics employs animal models to investigate the role of key genes that contribute to psychiatric disorders in behavioral genetics. This is achieved through gene knockout, knock-in, or silencing. At the same time, we employ techniques such as proteomics and metabolomics to investigate changes in gene expression regulation and metabolic pathways.

Our Service Process

As a preclinical contract research organization specializing in psychiatric disorders, our process for providing research services on the genetic mechanisms of psychiatric disorders typically includes the following key steps:

• Project consulting and design

Our project specialists collaborate closely with our clients to identify their research requirements and desired outcomes, and then design bespoke research protocols.

• Animal modeling and validation

We select appropriate animal models according to the research demands and use gene editing technology to accurately create genetic variants related to psychiatric disorders in animal models. In addition, in order to verify the accuracy of the animal models, we conduct comprehensive evaluations through behavioral and neurophysiological tests.

• Genetic mechanism study

We combine epigenetics, functional genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and other technologies to systematically study the effects of genetic variants associated with psychiatric disorders on brain function and behavioral changes.

• Drug target screening

Through these comprehensive studies, we can use the key genetic variants and regulatory mechanisms identified for psychiatric disorders for drug screening to identify potential drug targets. In addition, we will utilize model animals for drug screening and validation to assess the efficacy and safety of drug candidates targeting these mechanisms.

• Data analysis and delivery of results

We provide comprehensive trial reports and professional interpretation to provide scientific support for subsequent preclinical psychiatric drug development and diagnosis.

Ace Therapeutics has extensive experience in animal modeling and advanced research platforms, and is eager to collaborate with you to advance the genetic mechanisms of mental diseases. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to serve you.

References

1. Andreassen, O. A.; et al. New insights from the last decade of research in psychiatric genetics: discoveries, challenges and clinical implications. World Psychiatry. 22.1 (2023): 4-24.
2. Alexander A. P.; et al. From genetics to biology: advancing mental health research in the Genomics ERA. Molecular Psychiatry. 24.11 (2019): 1576-1582.