Sophie Hertel
Understanding nucleic-acid modulation of protein condensates in neurodegenerative diseases
Sophie Hertel, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, has been awarded a Postdoc Research Grant worth DKK 2.395.389
Protein aggregation is a major pathological hallmark in common neurodegenerative diseases. Disease associated proteins have been shown to form biomolecular condensates via liquid-liquid-phase-separation (LLPS), which can mature into pathological aggregates. Crucially, LLPS and consequent aggregation of these proteins can be modulated by specific and non-specific interactions with RNA and DNA.
Using high-throughput microfluidic based techniques, this project aims to systematically investigate underlying physical properties determining nucleic acid-LLPS and aggregate modulation for a better understanding of the transition from non-pathological condensates to toxic aggregates.
