Molecular & Functional Neurobiology Group

The Molecular & Functional Neurobiology group at the LCSB

First row (from left to right): Semra Smajic, Dr. Sylvie Delcambre, Jenny Ghelfi, Dr. Dajana Grossmann

Second row (from left to right): Kobi Wasner, Katja Badanjak, Nassima Ouzren, Dr. Anne Grünewald, Patrycja Mulica, Dr. Sandro Pereir

About the Molecular & Functional Neurobiology Group

The Molecular and Functional Neurobiology Group employs molecular, ‘omics’ and single-cell approaches to decipher the genetic and non-genetic origins of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We explore the role of the mitochondrial genome in the pathogenesis of idiopathic PD (IPD) using postmortem and iPSC-derived tissues. We aim to identify novel cellular pathways which may be the targets for therapeutic intervention in the future. With regards to genetic PD, we are targeting cellular factors that are associated with penetrance i.e. that determine the likelihood that an individual carrying a certain gene variant also develops the disease. These biomarkers may either serve to indicate advanced disease progression or they may, ideally, also direct us to cellular processes that can be modulated by drugs to delay the onset of PD. This work is performed in close collaboration with the Institute of Neurogenetics at the University of Lübeck, Germany.

The Molecular and Functional Neurobiology group was established under the auspices of the Luxembourg National Research Fund's ATTRACT Programme.