Project Title: Post-translational modifications of amyloid proteins for proteasomal degradation
Supervisor: Dr Yu Ye
Location: Sir Michael Uren Hub, White City Campus

About Me

I am a PhD student at the Dementia Research Institute (DRI) investigating the role of post-translational modifications of amyloid proteins in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Prior to starting my PhD, I completed my BSc in Biochemistry at KCL, MRes at Imperial, and worked as a research technician in the Kinases and Brain Development laboratory at The Francis Crick Institute.

Qualifications 

• 2018-2019   MRes Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Imperial College London

• 2015-2018   BSc Biochemistry, King’s College London

Research Interests 

Post-translational modifications on amyloid proteins have been shown to have critical roles involved in their aggregation behaviour. Enhanced phosphorylation and ubiquitination have been found in tau tangles in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Lewy Bodies in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In addition, both ubiquitinating and deubiquitinating enzymes, as well as ubiquitin-dependent degradation through the proteasome, have been implicated in AD and PD.  Understanding the key enzymatic activities that drive toxic protein aggregation is therefore critical to identify novel targets of therapeutic intervention to slow and reverse neurodegeneration.

The aim of my PhD project is to study how phosphorylation and ubiquitination of amyloid proteins influences aggregate formation and degradation. To address this my project utilises biochemistry and cell biology approaches, with elements of advanced fluorescence imaging in live cells.

Professional memberships

Biochemical Society

Contact Details

Email:  les18@imperial.ac.uk
LinkedIn: liina-sirvio