[SCAN] Visualization of normal and aberrant protein-protein interactions in living cells

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Title: Visualization of normal and aberrant protein-protein interactions in living cells

Speaker: Federico Herrera

Affiliation: Cell Structure and Dynamics Lab, ITQB NOVA

Abstract:

My laboratory is interested in understanding the cellular and molecular basis of neurodegeneration. In neurodegenerative disorders, it is common to observe large proteinaceous inclusions in the brain of patients.

These are composed of specific amyloidogenic proteins that, instead of interacting normally with their environment, tend to self-associate in dysfunctional complexes and interfere with normal cell function.

Moreover, different amyloidogenic proteins are able to interact with each other and enhance their deleterious effects. How to avoid such aberrant protein-protein interactions has been the subject of intense research for decades. However, "normal" cell signalling pathways also play a role in the process of neurodegeneration. We are currently studying the JAK/STAT3 signalling pathway, which controls neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration, and is also involved in tumors of the CNS and beyond. This pathway also relies on key protein-protein interactions which could represent possible targets for therapeutic intervention. Finally, our laboratory is interested in developing novel technologies for a tight control of neural cell behavior and fate based on optogenetics. In this talk I will do a brief overview about these subjects which constitute my work for the last 8 years, as well as present results and future plans.