Laboratory for Parkinson Research

The Laboratory for Parkinson Research investigates the molecular basis of Parkinson’s disease in order to find new targets for disease-modifying therapy. They study the cellular functions of proteins that have been genetically linked to Parkinson’s disease. So far they have focused mainly on the function of the Parkin protein. Loss of function mutations in the gene for Parkin are the main cause of recessive Parkinson’s disease. Parkin plays a key role in mitochondrial homeostasis. Our lab has identified several Parkin-interacting proteins that regulate Parkin-dependent mitochondrial quality control.