Project: Targeting the propagation of pathogenic protein assemblies in neurodegenerative disease

Emerging results suggest that the trigger of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases is the formation of pathogenic protein aggregates (proteopathic seeds), which self-propagate in a prion-like manner. Current data support the hypothesis that progression of different neurodegenerative diseases can be caused by cell-to-cell spread of proteinaceous aggregates. We aim at elucidating the key mechanisms by which proteins misfold into toxic assemblies and then transfer between neurons and along neural pathways, facilitating the propagation of the disease in the CNS. By studying these mechanisms, we then aim to develop novel therapeutic targets to stop the self-replication and propagation and thus disease progression. We will cross-examine two of these diseases, Alzheimer and Parkinson, and concentrate on the analysis of amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein aggregates. We will apply a trans-disciplinary approach combining structural/biophysical techniques, biochemistry, cell biology, imaging in cellular and animal models with the major objective to identify and develop therapeutic targets for some of the most debilitating and costly diseases of our time.

Acronym	NeuTARGETs (Reference Number: JPND_CD_FP-688-004)
Duration	01/01/2015 - 01/01/2018
Project Topic	Neurodegenerative disease
Website	visit project website
Network	JPND
Call	A call for European research projects for cross-disease analysis of pathways related to neurodegenerative diseases

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	INSTITUT PASTEUR	Coordinator	France
2	CNRS	Partner	France
3	HERTIE INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL BRAIN RESEARCH	Partner	Germany
4	LUND UNIVERSITY	Partner	Sweden