About the lecture

The pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease is the presence of insoluble protein deposits in the brain, which are formed when specific protein molecules misfold and aggregate into highly ordered fibrils. Rather than the fibrils themselves being toxic, evidence now points towards the smaller, soluble oligomers formed in the initial stages of the process as being the culprit. It is vitally important to characterise these oligomers and determine how they are formed; however, they are highly heterogeneous, and present in much lower concentrations than either monomeric or fibrillar protein, making them difficult to study using traditional techniques. It is therefore advantageous to use single-molecule methodologies to study the processes involved in their formation and conversion into the less toxic fibrils. We have developed new methods for imaging and characterizing these important aggregates, and have applied them to studying them both in vitro and in biofluids.

Participation

The lecture is open to all. Registration not necessary. 

Coffee and tea will be served.

Organiser

Magnus Kjærgaard, AIAS Fellow
magnus@aias.au.dk
Phone: +4587153773

Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, AIAS
Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 6B
DK- 8000 Aarhus C