Abstract: The present invention discloses a transgenic fly that expresses a carboxy terminal fragment of the human amyloid-? precursor protein (APP) and a double transgenic fly that expresses both the fragment of APP and tau protein. The transgenic flies of the present invention provide for models of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention further discloses methods for identifying genetic modifiers, as well as screening methods to identify therapeutic compounds to treat neurodegenerative disorders using the transgenic flies.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for transferring an organism from a donor container to a recipient container. The device comprises a transfer plate assembly comprising a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The transfer plate assembly positions donor containers and recipient containers in an inverted relationship so that the organism pass from the donor container to the recipient container. In addition, a method is presented for transferring a small organism from a donor container to a recipient container. The method includes engaging a donor container to a transfer plate assembly. The method discloses engaging a recipient container to the transfer plate assembly wherein the recipient container is in an inverted orientation to the donor container and rotating the transfer plate assembly so that the recipient container is positioned below the donor container which allows the small organism to be transferred.

Abstract: The instant invention provides nucleic acids encoding insect chloride channel (CLC channel), as well as CLC channel polypeptides encoded thereby. The invention further provides methods of identifying agents that modulate a level of CLC channel mRNA, polypeptide, or calcium ion channel activity. Such agents are candidate insecticidal compounds.