This innovative model leverages low-dose rotenone to induce mitochondrial dysfunction, mimicking neuropsychiatric disorders in mice. It provides a platform for studying bipolar disorder-like phenotypes, advancing research on psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative diseases.
This research offers a cutting-edge model that uses low-dose rotenone to induce mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby replicating neuropsychiatric disorder characteristics in mice. The model is particularly focused on mimicking a bipolar disorder-like phenotype, facilitating studies of psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative disorders. This approach provides valuable insights into the mitochondrial mechanisms underlying these complex disorders and opens new avenues for therapeutic exploration.
The technology is currently at TRL 6, indicating that it has been demonstrated in a relevant environment and is moving towards more advanced validation stages.
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is a comprehensive public research university with roughly 20,000 students across campuses in Be’er Sheva, Sde Boker, and Eilat. Industry engages through the Advanced Technologies Park next to the main campus and a dedicated tech transfer company that streamlines IP, sponsored research, and co-development. Integration with Soroka University Medical Center supports clinical translation, and Cyber@BGU within Israel’s national cyber hub links faculty to startups, multinationals, and public-sector partners. Research is funded by the Israel Science Foundation, European Research Council programs (Horizon Europe/H2020), the Israel Innovation Authority, and US–Israel binational funds. Commercialization is led by BGN Technologies, with venture-building through the Yazamut 360 entrepreneurship center.