Daniele Bano (DZNE), Siegfried Hekimi (CIHR), Mario de Bono (MRC)

Mitochondria are the intracellular organelles responsible for energy production. It is believed that broad decline in energy metabolism is strongly associated with the age-dependent loss of neuronal structures. Thus, the accumulation of mitochondrial defects during ageing likely promotes neurodegeneration. The proposal aims to study the molecular pathways and events that link mitochondrial defects and neurodegenerative diseases using the nematode C. elegans as a model system.  The use of genetic approaches will help to better understand the neurodegenerative process and might provide new therapeutic targets.