{"id":15122,"date":"2026-05-29T09:52:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T07:52:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/lcsb-en\/?post_type=news&p=15122"},"modified":"2026-05-29T09:52:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T07:52:43","slug":"axonal-injury-under-the-super-resolution-microscope","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/lcsb-en\/news\/axonal-injury-under-the-super-resolution-microscope\/","title":{"rendered":"Axonal injury under the – super-resolution – microscope"},"content":{"rendered":"
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At the LCSB, the Chemical and <\/a>Molecular Neurobiology group<\/a> led by Prof. Ivana Niki\u0107-Spiegel<\/a> bridges microscopy and chemical biology to decipher the molecular mechanisms behind brain diseases, in particular multiple sclerosis, and identify ways to protect neurons from injury. Their approach: Using nanoscale imaging and advanced molecular tools to get a better overall picture of neurodegeneration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nSpotlight on multiple sclerosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The group focuses on multiple sclerosis, a chronic neurological disorder that affects 2,8 millions people worldwide \u2013 mostly young adults \u2013 and presents with very heterogeneous symptoms. Current treatments can delay the long-term progression of the disease but there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, placing a heavy burden on patients and societies. \u201cMultiple sclerosis is characterised by the formation of lesions in the brain and spinal cord. These arise from inflammation, driven by immune cells, that damages myelin, the protective coating of nerve fibres, and can also injure the nerve fibres themselves,\u201d explains Prof. Niki\u0107-Spiegel. \u201cAs a result, communication within the nervous system is disrupted, contributing to disability over time. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes are still not fully understood.\u201d

This is where the group\u2019s unique technical expertise comes in. Combing imaging, from live-cell to super-resolution microscopy, chemical biology and proteomics, the researchers explore the organisation and dynamics of proteins within brain cells. By labelling newly synthetised proteins in a given cell type and during a specific time frame, they are able to investigate processes that get disrupted by the disease. \u201cWe first conduct untargeted proteomics studies to find out which proteins are up- or downregulated in different phases of multiple sclerosis. It helps us pinpoint proteins of interest that could constitute good target for treatments,\u201d details Prof. Niki\u0107-Spiegel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nLive imaging and super-resolution microscopy to observe proteins<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n
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\n \n\"Super-resolution

\n Super-resolution microscopy image of a neuron-like cell showing labelled cytoskeletal filaments. <\/p>\n <\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Once promising proteins have been identified, the researchers turn to advanced microscopy to study both these new targets and established candidate proteins more closely. For example, they investigate ion channels found in the gaps between myelin sheaths and cytoskeletal proteins that give neurons their structure.

Live imaging combined with fluorescent labelling allows them to follow how these proteins reorganise over time. With super-resolution microscopy, they can even reach the single-molecule level, enabling them to map the precise localisation of proteins within cells. As neuronal communication depends on the highly organised nanoscale distribution of proteins, this technology is essential to detect subtle changes that cannot be observed with conventional imaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    A brand-new microscope recently installed at the LCSB allows the team to visualise proteins or protein clusters measuring just 10 to 15 nanometres, opening new possibilities to understand how alterations in molecular organisation contribute to neuronal dysfunction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nFinding commonalities across neurodegenerative diseases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    By harnessing the power of cutting-edge technologies and developing new methodologies for their use in complex systems such as cell cultures and in vivo<\/em> models, the Chemical and Molecular Neurobiology group aims not only to unravel the molecular mechanisms of multiple sclerosis, but also to find commonalities with other brain diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cProcesses such as oxidative stress and neuroinflammation play a role in all these disorders. Similarly, beyond its well-established role in multiple sclerosis, myelin is emerging as an important factor in other neurodegenerative diseases,\u201d underlines Prof. Niki\u0107-Spiegel. \u201cSo, we hope that our findings on how to protect the nervous system from axonal injury and demyelination could translate from multiple sclerosis to Parkinson\u2019s and Alzheimer\u2019s disease.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \nThe researchers<\/h2>\n
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      \n \n\"Assoc.\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
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      Assoc. Prof Ivana NIKIC-SPIEGEL<\/h3>\n

      Associate professor in Translational Neuroscience with a focus on biological Imaging<\/p>\n

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      \n \n\"Joao\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
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      Joao DE SOUSA LOUREN\u00c7O<\/h3>\n

      Doctoral researcher<\/p>\n

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      \n \n\"Ines\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
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      Ines ROSIGNOL<\/h3>\n

      Research and Development Specialist<\/p>\n

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      \n \n\"Nesrine\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
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      Nesrine BEN FREDJ<\/h3>\n

      Research Support Technician<\/p>\n

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      \nDiscover more<\/h2>\n\n
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      • \n \n \n \n Chemical and Molecular Neuro-biology group <\/span>\n <\/use><\/svg> <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \n \n \n \n Multiple Scl\u00e9rose L\u00ebtzebuerg \u2013 MSL <\/span>\n <\/use><\/svg> <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \n \n \n \n Support research at the LCSB <\/span>\n <\/use><\/svg> <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":55,"featured_media":15125,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"featured_image_focal_point":[],"show_featured_caption":false,"ulux_newsletter_groups":"","uluxPostTitle":"","uluxPrePostTitle":"","_trash_the_other_posts":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false},"news-category":[4],"news-topic":[19],"organisation":[425,202],"authorship":[55],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAxonal injury under the super-resolution microscope - University of Luxembourg<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n