Contributions and mechanisms of neuroproteasomes to brain aging
Cells contain a series of internal processes that control how proteins are made and maintained which are critical to the proper health and function of tissues. Over time, these internal systems wear down which leads to poor cognitive function and even neurodegenerative disease. Dr. Ramachandran’s lab discovered a new pathway in the brain called the neuroproteasome that controls how specific subsets of proteins are degraded. His lab found that proper neuroproteasomes function keeps neurons healthy but this function declines over the course of aging. Dr. Ramachandran aims to identify whether this is causative to age-related decline and to identify factors that can reverse this decline.
