EMBO Associate Member
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia | United States
EMBO 2024
Neurons are large, polarized cells that must last our lifetimes. Neuronal function is maintained by organelle trafficking along the cytoskeleton, driven by the molecular motors kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein. Neurons also depend on autophagy for removing damaged organelles. Dysfunction in organelle trafficking or turnover is sufficient to induce neurodegeneration in Parkison's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We study the mechanisms driving these pathways.
Keywords: Neuron / neurodegeneration / microtubule transport / axonal transport / kinesin / dynein / autophagy / mitochondria
Subject area(s): Cell & Tissue Architecture | Membranes & Transport | Neuroscience