Research
Protein Aggregation & Cell-to-cell Transmission
<Neurodegenerative Diseases of Interest>
1. Alzheimer's Disease (AD): Amyloid-β, Tau
2. Parkinson's Disease (PD): α-Synuclein
3. Dementia with Lewy Body (DLB): Amyloid-β, Tau, α-Synuclein
4. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): TDP43
5. Huntington's Disease (HD): mHTT
Protein aggregation and cell-to-cell transmission are key processes in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease, are characterized by the abnormal accumulation of misfolded proteins in the brain. This protein aggregates not only affects the cell owning aggregates, but can be transmitted to other neighboring cel, propagating the disease throughout the brain.
Understanding the mechanisms of protein aggregation and cell-to-cell transmission is crucial for developing effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. This area of research continues to evolve, offering hope for new therapeutic strategies.
Neurodegeneration & Neuroinflammation
<Molecular Mechanisms of Neuron-Glia Interactions>
1. Neuronal cell death
2. Microglia
3. Astrocytes
4. Oligodendrocytes
5. Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells
The molecular mechanisms of neuron-glia interactions play a crucial role in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Neurons and glial cells, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, interact closely within the nervous system. In a healthy brain, these interactions are essential for maintaining homeostasis, supporting neural function, and facilitating brain repair. However, in neurodegenerative diseases, these interactions become dysregulated, contributing to disease progression.
Understanding these complex neuron-glia interactions is vital for unraveling the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. It offers potential therapeutic targets aimed at restoring the balance in these interactions, thereby offering hope for new treatments that could slow or prevent the progression of these debilitating diseases.
Therapeutic Approach &
Drug Development
Drug Development
<Disease Models and Drug Development>
1. Post-mortem brains from patients
2. Disease mouse model (AD, PD, DLB, etc.)
3. Human stem cells (Neurons, Microglia, Astrocytes) & Brain organoid
4. Genome-wide high-throughput screening (HTS) platform
5. Chemical library screening platform
Disease models and drug development are pivotal in the study and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive loss of structure and function of neurons. Developing effective treatments for these conditions involves a deep understanding of their underlying mechanisms, which is greatly facilitated by various disease models.
Our laboratory aims at the development of effective therapeutic strategies. To achieve this, we utilize human samples such as post-mortem brains from patients and human stem cells, alongside disease mouse models. This dual approach ensures our research and drug development efforts are both relevant to real-world patient conditions and informed by detailed preclinical studies. Our goal is to create more effective therapeutic approaches and drug development pathways that closely align with the complexities of human neurodegenerative diseases.