Thesis subject

How do genetic variants affect α-synuclein associated pathology?

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a valuable model organism for studying human Parkinson Disease associated molecular mechanisms.

We use C. elegans carrying a human copy of the α-synuclein (SNCA gene) that show the characteristic protein accumulation. In C. elegans, we can study how individual genetic differences affect α-synuclein related pathology. We currently aim to find which genes in C. elegans are implicated in accelerated α-synuclein accumulation.

Techniques that will be used:

•Recombinant inbred lines

•gene expression analysis (qPCR)

•Light microscopy

•ELISA