Tracking amyloid-beta production in nerve cells

Lead Investigator: Dr Clare Futter
Institution: University College London
Grant type: PhD studentship
Duration: 3 years
Amount: £75,000    

Scientific Title: The role of multivesicular endosomes in the generation of beta-amyloid in Alzheimer's disease.

What do we already know?

Accumulation of the amyloid-beta protein in the brain is a key process during the development of Alzheimer's disease. This protein is thought to be toxic to nerve cells but we don't yet know how it is produced.

Research suggests that amyloid might be produced within tiny compartments, or vesicles, in nerve cells. A complex system of different vesicles make up the internal transport network inside the cells.

What does this project involve?

This project aims to determine the role of vesicles in amyloid production and how this might contribute to Alzheimer's disease.

This involves work with cells grown in the lab and the use of high-powered microscopes to view the movement of proteins within and between vesicles in the cells.

These techniques are used to track the fate of proteins associated with amyloid-beta production.

How will this benefit people with dementia?

This work will provide important knowledge about the production of amyloid-beta in nerve cells, a crucial step in understanding how Alzheimer's disease develops.

The findings could also help to identify potential targets for drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease in the future.

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