Neuroprotection and Neurorepair Lab

​Neuroprotection and Brain Repair

The brain is a complex structure that consists of various cell types like nerve cells (neurons) and supporting brain cells (glia). Our lab is interested in brain protection and repair processes thus; our research focuses on diseases like Parkinson’s disease and stroke. The central feature of neurodegeneration is a failure of proteins functioning correctly. Appropriate protein function is dependent upon the correct 3D protein structure. If this structure is disordered, the consequences for brain cells are often pathological. The problems in protein structure can act as a seed in the development of large aggregates and initiate disease progression, particularly in aged brains. Protein aggregates can be found in several neurodegenerative diseases and can be found within various compartments of a cell. We are also interested in the glia component of brain diseases. About half of the cells in the brain are cells other than the neurons. These are predominantly glial cells. A subset of these, the microglial cells, are small but mighty cells that allow the brain circuits to function correctly. They also mediate inflammation in the brain, which is a significant cause of pathology in many brain diseases. There are many aspects in glial cell biology that are still unknown, and it is likely future drugs will target these glial cells to treat neurodegenerative diseases. 

Learn more about Prof. Mikko Airavaara and Safak Er from Professor Mikko Airavaara’s Neuroprotection and Neurorepair lab.

Immunofluorescent microscopy images of:

    1. Microglia
    2. Astrocytes
    3. Dopamine neurone

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