During the next ten years, our research will gradually shift to focus on integrating the mechanistic insights and the novel tools developed by our group and other to advance translational research through contributing to the discovery and validation of novel disease mechanisms, therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Towards this goal, we will work closely with clinicians, Brain banks and our partners in the pharmaceutical industry to develop more effective tools for early diagnosis, patient stratification, and personalized interventions and therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Target proteins and diseases of interest:
Alpha-Synuclein, Parkinson’s disease and related synucleinopathies
Huntingtin, Huntington’s disease
Tau, Alzheimer’s disease
TDP-43, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Research Priorities
- Discovery and validation of novel mechanisms and therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative diseases Develop novel neuronal models of protein aggregation and clearance
- Elucidate the interplay between peripheral and CNS pathology in Parkinson’s disease and related synucleinopathies using advanced omics and imaging tools and technologies. We aim to determine if there are specific pathogenic mechanisms that link premotor and motor symptoms and pathology?
- Identify and validate novel disease biomarkers in the blood, CSF and Saliva
- Develop novel assays to facilitate early detection of Parkinson’s disease, patient stratification, and monitoring of disease progression and response to therapies.
- Redefine disease subtypes based on comprehensive profiling and characterization of disease pathology in the CNS and ENS system