The spreading of protein misfolding diseases: beyond a fly model
| Dates: | 14 January 2014 |
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| Times: | 15:30 - 15:30 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Faculty of Life Sciences |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, Current University students |
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| Speaker: | Damien Crowther |
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Characteristic protein aggregates are associated with many of the neurodegenerative diseases that are increasingly common in our ageing population. Of particular interest is Alzheimer's disease which is thought to be initiated by the aggregation and deposition of the amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) in the brain. Our fly model of Abeta toxicity has allowed us to probe the biophysics of peptide aggregation and link this to the consequent in vivo toxicity. We also been able to gain insights into the genetic underpinning of the disease using the screening techniques that are familiar to fly biologists. Our current interests focus on how protein misfolding pathology spreads through the brain; in other words we wonder why Alzheimer's disease is always relentlessly progressive and fatal. We are developing new models systems to look at this problem and novel assays to allow us to measure the spreading activity.
This seminar is part of the Fly Club Seminar Series
Speaker
Damien Crowther
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Travel and Contact Information
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AV Hill 1.006
AV Hill Building
Manchester
