Explore the forefront of neuroscience with the LCSB Neuroscience Lecture Series, featuring scientific presentations from internationally renowned experts in various disciplines of neuroscience.
Meet the speaker! A networking aperitif with light snacks and refreshments will follow the presentation. Further one-on-one meeting opportunities with the speaker can be arranged by emailing Caroline Belot or Cathia Rausch.
Molecular mechanisms of RNA binding protein dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases
The talk will focus on molecular mechanisms that underlie the dysfunction of intrinsically disordered RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, FTD and Alzheimer’s disease. Of particular interest are the RBPs TDP-43 and FUS, which are genetically linked to ALS and form aberrant cytoplasmic aggregates in the degenerating brain regions.
Previous work has shown that RBP mislocalisation and aggregation is driven by defects in nuclear import and aberrant phase separation and is heavily regulated by post-translational modifications. The talk will provide insights into recently discovered mechanisms that regulate phase separation and aberrant phase transitions of disease-linked RBPs, such as nuclear import receptors, the disordered protein Tau or post-translational modifications.
About the speaker
Dorothee Dormann is a leading expert in the field of molecular neurodegeneration. After studies of biochemistry in Tübingen and a PhD at Rockefeller University, she did postdoctoral research and headed an independent Emmy Noether group at LMU Munich before joining JGU Mainz as Heisenberg Full Professor of Molecular Cell Biology and Deputy Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology. Her laboratory works to understand how proteins become mislocated and aggregated in neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on how nuclear transport and phase separation are dysregulated in ALS and FTD and whether these changes can be suppressed by modulating posttranslational modifications.
The Neuroscience Lecture Series is supported by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) RESCOM Program (RESCOM24/18810230/Neurosciences_LS).
