The use of advanced SPM technology to study amyloid dynamics in neuronal model membranes

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is thought to be caused by accumulation of protein, called “beta-amyloid” in the brain. This protein has been shown to accumulate on the surfaces of brain cells, deforming and damaging their outer surface (called the lipid membrane). There is a major open question however: what factors make brain cells sensitive to beta-amyloid? It has been observed that the amount of beta-amyloid in the brain does not correlate with disease progression and thus other important factors must be at play. In our lab, led by Prof. Zoya Leonenko (University of Waterloo), we are testing the hypothesis that the composition of the lipid membrane is the key factor which causes AD, and suggest that protecting the membrane with small molecules, like melatonin, may be an effective preventative strategy for AD. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Zoya Leonenko

Student:

Partner:

University of Bristol;University of California, San Diego

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Biotechnology; Nanotechnology; Life Sciences (not health)

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: