Systematic dissection of the protein homeostasis network affected by aging and neurodegenerative diseases using human neuronal m
Aging is the major risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). AD is accompanied by a substantial loss of neurons and accumulation of amyloid proteins and tau fibers in the brain. In the proposed research, Dr. Ching-Chieh Chou will study the link between AD and protein dysfunction, as well as looking at the overlap between human aging and the development of AD. It is hypothesized that the aging-dependent dysregulation of protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is a key issue in the development of AD. To observe proteostasis in young and healthy and AD affected patients, Dr. Chou will use a human neuronal model by reprograming human somatic cells that can preserve aging and disease hallmarks. This study seeks to identify disease biomarkers as potential therapeutic targets for AD and other aging-related neurodegenerative diseases.
