QBI Neuroscience Seminar: “Mechanisms of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection in motor neuron disease and frontotemporal dementia”

Event Details

Date:

Wednesday, 20 November 2019 - Wednesday, 20 November 2019

Time:

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Room:

QBI Level 7 Auditorium

UQ Location:

Queensland Brain Institute (St Lucia)

URL:

http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au/neuroscience-seminars

Event category(s):

Full Description:: Dr Adam Walker
Queensland Brain Institute
University of Queensland

Title: “Mechanisms of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection in motor neuron disease and frontotemporal dementia”

Abstract: Pathology formed by the RNA-binding protein TDP-43 is the primary hallmark of disease in almost all cases of motor neuron disease (MND) and approximately half of all cases of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In disease, TDP-43 relocates from the nucleus and accumulates in the cytoplasm, where it is extensively post-translationally modified and aggregates to form characteristic intracellular inclusions. There is remarkable heterogeneity in the structure and distribution of TDP-43 inclusions in disease, and how TDP-43 aggregation causes neurodegeneration remains unclear. In this presentation, I will discuss recent studies in my laboratory using cell and mouse models of TDP-43 pathology coupled with biochemistry, proteomics and whole-genome CRISPR screening approaches aimed towards identifying mechanisms involved in TDP-43-associated neurodegeneration and characterising potential targets for future therapeutic development for people living with MND and FTD.