Alexander Lenail
An Approach to Bolster the Resilience of Aging Neurons
Summary
Brain cells (neurons) are the longest-lived cells in our bodies, staying healthy for decades due to their capacity to respond to damage and preserve their function in the face of many changes as we age. Could neurons be coaxed into resisting degeneration indefinitely, allowing us to prevent the onset of brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s? In this research, I will examine whether we can enhance the repair machinery in neurons to reverse the molecular damage that accumulates during aging. We will use artificial intelligence (AI) to identify essential genes that are responsible for damage repair and then increase their dose in neurons and measure whether the neurons become more resilient against cellular damage due to aging.
Watch a Q&A with Alex
I am deeply honored to be granted this fellowship, which permits us to pursue bold new therapeutic ideas to treat age-related neurodegeneration.
