The mission of the UAB Center for Precision Animal Modeling (C-PAM) is to serve as a national resource for the generation, analysis, and distribution of animal models relevant to human genetic disorders for the purpose of pursuing disease mechanisms, developing diagnostic evidence, and identifying potential therapeutics.
The UAB Center for Precision Animal Modeling (C-PAM) is dedicated to advancing the understanding of human genetic disorders through the generation, analysis, and distribution of precise animal models. Our mission is to serve as a national resource, facilitating the pursuit of disease mechanisms, the development of diagnostic evidence, and the identification of potential therapeutics.
C-PAM interfaces with clinical, research, and patient communities to select and model genetic variants. By confirming the pathogenicity of patient variants in various animal disease models, such as C. elegans, Zebrafish, Xenopus, mouse, or rat, we provide critical biological insights into gene/protein functions and the impact of genetic variants.
Our work prioritizes the identification and testing of targeted or repurposed therapeutics to alter disease progression and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, we develop tools and resources that aid in definitive diagnoses and enhance patient care.
Impact
- 169+ variant nominations received from patient foundations, clinicians, and researchers.
- As of 2025, generating 134+ models across multiple species, including zebrafish, mice, rats, and C. elegans.
- Developed Rosalution, published Open Source collaborative variant analysis software, and CoSIA, online analysis tooling for cross-species transcriptomic comparisons.
- Contributed to new insights into disease mechanisms, leading to numerous publications and presentations.
- Generated animal models for X-linked myopathy with excessive autophagy (XMEA), successfully tested potential treatments, now advancing to active clinical trials.
- Designed animal models for NF1 variants for testing antisense oligos and nonsense suppression therapeutics.
Success Stories
- Driving Innovation for Rare Disorders: UAB C-PAM’s Collaboration on DLG4 Research
- C-PAM Drug Predictions for CAMSAP1 entering Drug Therapy Trials
- From unknown diagnosis to new treatment, a UAB C-PAM discovers pathway towards new treatments for an ultra-rare myopathy
Current Collaborations
- Driving Innovation for Rare Disorders: UAB C-PAM’s Collaboration on DLG4 Research
- C-PAM Drug Predictions for CAMSAP1 entering Drug Therapy Trials
- From unknown diagnosis to new treatment, a UAB C-PAM discovers pathway towards new treatments for an ultra-rare myopathy
- UAB Center for Precision Animal Modeling (CPAM)’s Work Highlighted in NIH’s ORIP Research Highlights
- Children’s of Alabama and UAB Medicine join new NORD Rare Disease Centers of Excellence network
