The laboratory uses Drosophila as a model to understand the molecular mechanisms of human inherited neurodegenerative diseases and the functions of the corresponding Drosophila ortologue genes.

The main research line in the lab is concerned with Atrophins, a family of transcriptional co-factors with several additional roles and implicated in many cellular and developmental processes. Atrophin-1 in humans is responsible for the polyglutammine (PolyQ) disease Dentatorubropallydoluisian atrophy (DRPLA). We have recently performed a genome-wide microarry study to investigate how polyglutamine Atrophins lead to neurodegeneration.

We are now investigating the functional relevance for neurodegeneration of the detected transcriptional alterations in the fly.

Our specific interests at the moment are:

• The deregulation of the autophagic catabolic pathway.
• The importance of cell cycle stimulation in post-mitotic neurones
• The role of glial cells in mediating toxicity for the nervous system.