Speaker:Alfonso De Simone
Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II
Title:
Structural pathways of α-synuclein misfolding from condensates to toxic fibrils
Abstract:
Alfonso De Simone is Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Naples Federico II, a position he assumed following a research career at the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. His laboratory is internationally recognised for pioneering work on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. In this context, the group develops innovative integrations of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and computational biology, applied in combination with cryo-electron microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, and cellular biophysics. This interdisciplinary research program has led to the identification of functional and pathological properties of systems of major biological relevance, including the prion protein and α-synuclein (αS), a central protein in Parkinson’s disease. Notably, these studies have elucidated how αS promotes the clustering of synaptic vesicles and their anchoring to the presynaptic membrane, and how α Scondensates can trigger aggregation processes that ultimately lead to toxicity in neuronal cells.
You may choose to participate either:
– In person, by joining us at the venue
– Online, by accessing the seminar through the following link:
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a3f57b3c-0ab7-4e34-998c-2f83cdcdf02a@34c64e9f-d27f-4edd-a1f0-1397f0c84f94
