Biophysics Seminar

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease, affecting ~10 million people worldwide. One of the most commonly mutated genes in PD codes for Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2). Autosomal dominant mutations in LRRK2 cause familial PD, while mutations in LRRK2 are risk factors for sporadic PD and increased activity of LRRK2’s kinase has been linked to the sporadic form of the disease as well. This has made LRRK2 the main actionable target for PD therapeutics.

The Department of Biochemistry invites professors and scientists from other universities and institutes to present seminars at the University of Colorado Boulder throughout the academic year. These seminars provide an opportunity for faculty and students to learn about exciting current research.

Host: Dylan Taatjes

Host: Dylan Taatjes

Lab Website: https://huttenlocher.labs.wisc.edu/
Synopsis: The Huttenlocher lab’s research is aimed at understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate cell migration and wound healing using biochemical genetic and imaging approaches. They use live imaging, biosensors and photomanipulation to examine and control polarity of cell signaling during cell migration in live animals and understand how these mechanisms are altered in tissue damage and repair.

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