Neurochemical pathophysiology and diagnostics

The main focus of the lab is neurodegenerative disease and brain damage. The Fish team uses zebrafish to identify the function of disease-associated genes and unravel the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. We use a translational approach by which human studies on protein levels in brain tissue or cerebrospinal fluid of individuals with neurodegeneration are used to identify proteins of interest which are then studied in closer detail in zebrafish. The transparent nature and fast development make zebrafish an ideal model organism to study development of our brain and peripheral neural system and to dissect the role of genes of interest during this process. Since the regulation of gene expression is crucial for disease development, we also use zebrafish to study means of gene regulation. A better knowledge of the function of the genes linked to disease will facilitate our understanding of the disease process and eventually also help to develop better treatments.
We use various gene editing methods, imaging, molecular methods and behavioural studies to address our questions.