MultiPark - Multidisciplinary Research in Parkinson's Disease

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New Research Reveals How α-Synuclein Interacts with Cell Membranes in Parkinson’s Disease

2012-01-24

The accumulation of α-synuclein, a small, negatively charged protein, in neural cells, is one of the hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease. It has been suggested that oligomeric α-synuclein causes membranes to become permeable, or to form channels on the outer cell membrane. Now, a group of scientists from MultiPark has found a way to reliably replicate α-synuclein aggregation on cell membranes to investigate how different forms of α-synuclein interact with membranes under different conditions and to learn if any of the α-synuclein species can penetrate these membranes. The results are published in the current issue of the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease.

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Alzheimer’s damage occurs early

2012-01-09

The first changes in the brain of a person with Alzheimer’s disease can be observed as much as ten years in advance – ten years before the person in question has become so ill that he or she can be diagnosed with the disease. This is what a new study from Lund University has found.

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Taking Charge - Becoming a Research Leader

2012-01-09

Of what stuff are research leaders made? The question begs asking as MultiPark welcomes three junior group leaders to the fray. Kick-starting a lab, putting together a balanced team, while at the same time keeping momentum in your own research is no easy feat. The tasks at hand easily pile up for any newborn group leader. Neuroinflammation expert Maria Swanberg now takes the first cautious steps in her new role, leaving behind a more straightforward life in the lab as she starts to juggle her many responsibilities.