Research

Our research group is focussed on identifying molecular mechanisms that underlie neurodegenerative and neurological disorders. Our interests are aimed at understanding the biology of newly identified disease-causing genes associated with particular neurodegenerative diseases. We investigate the consequences of these mutations by incorporating molecular and cellular biology to understand the function of both wild type and mutant gene products.

Key Research Activities

• Our main area of research is aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the overexpression of a pivotal Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related protein, BACE1. Elevated levels of BACE1 in AD brain leads to the generation of a small protein species that accumulates and forms pathological deposits that destroy neurons. Understanding how BACE1 expression is increased in AD will help focus our efforts on targeting the enzyme as a therapeutic avenue for treating AD.
  

• We also study molecular interactions between various proteins that contribute to disease pathways and/or may prevent pathological events from occuring. The identification and characterization of these protein interactions will provide us with therapeutic leads for further investigation/application.

• We use molecular cloning to generate neuroreceptors implicated in neurological diseases. The expression and characterization of these receptors will provide us with a better understanding of events that occur in pathological conditions.