Understanding the mechanism of actin-microtubule co-regulation underlying neurodegeneration in motor neurons

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Disrupted microtubule dynamics are a key mechanism underlying the selective vulnerability of neurons across many different genetic motor neuron diseases. Microtubules facilitate the long range transport of cargo along axons and stabilise the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria distribution along neurons. This project will investigate the microtubule based molecular causes of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia type 8 (HSP8), a motor neuron disease originating from point mutations in the protein Strumpellin. The student will address this question using a wide range of techniques including super-resolution live cell microscopy of neurons; cell biological analysis of the signalling pathways and in vitro reconstitution of microtubule dynamics.