Molecular Dissection of Metabolic Homeostasis Pathways in Neurons

Neurodegeneration is linked to failure in energy metabolism and mitochondria. This project seeks to understand the molecular pathways at the intersection of mitochondrial function, neuronal metabolism, and neurodegeneration in vivo, using both mouse and invertebrate systems. The goal is to uncover the mechanisms that orchestrate energy balance in healthy neurons, and to discover how defective energy balance contributes to degeneration.