Stavoe Lab

Autophagy is tightly regulated in neurons. Using in vitro and in vivo models, we aim to uncover the molecular pathways that impinge upon various stages of the autophagy pathway in neurons.

We aim to utilize the molecular pathways that regulate neuronal autophagy to increase the healthspan of the nervous system in vivo and elucidate therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.

Biochemistry and advanced live-cell imaging techniques in a mammalian system provide an ideal platform for understanding these complex signaling and regulatory pathways in higher metazoans on the path to establishing potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.

The simple nervous system, genetic feasibility, conserved molecular pathways, and short life span make worms a great model to study neuronal autophagy during aging.