How do protein quality control mechanisms maintain neuronal ageing? This project aims to interrogate how mechanisms of protein quality control act in the brain - an organ that is particularly vulnerable to a high load of misfolded protein - to maintain normal physiology during ageing. This project expects to make advances in cellular biochemistry and neuroscience, using an innovative proximity labelling approach to identify quality control regulators in neurons that specifically engage with misf ....How do protein quality control mechanisms maintain neuronal ageing? This project aims to interrogate how mechanisms of protein quality control act in the brain - an organ that is particularly vulnerable to a high load of misfolded protein - to maintain normal physiology during ageing. This project expects to make advances in cellular biochemistry and neuroscience, using an innovative proximity labelling approach to identify quality control regulators in neurons that specifically engage with misfolded proteins during ageing, within the nervous system of a living animal. Expected outcomes of this project will generate new knowledge of brain physiology and ageing relevant to all animals. This should provide significant benefits, such as a greater understanding of long-term brain functions including memory.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms determining the lipid composition of synapses. Synapses between neurons play a key role in all functions of the nervous system including learning and memory. They are mostly composed of the unique combination of proteins and lipids, which function together to enable neurotransmission. While the molecular mechanisms determining the protein composition of synapses are well characterised, the mechanisms defining the lipid composition of synapses remain unknown. The project will ....Molecular mechanisms determining the lipid composition of synapses. Synapses between neurons play a key role in all functions of the nervous system including learning and memory. They are mostly composed of the unique combination of proteins and lipids, which function together to enable neurotransmission. While the molecular mechanisms determining the protein composition of synapses are well characterised, the mechanisms defining the lipid composition of synapses remain unknown. The project will use advanced techniques of neuroscience and lipid research to determine the mechanisms of lipid transport and retention at synapses. The project is expected to generate new knowledge about the fundamental mechanisms of brain function, which will be useful for developing new therapeutics enhancing the brain power.Read moreRead less