Understanding some of the mechanisms that are altered in the brain and spinal cord in MND to determine if a specific group of proteins (called GRNs) may protect from motor neurone death.
PhD Student: Joe Reynolds
Principal Investigator: Dr Younbok Lee
Lead Institution: King's College London
MND Association Funding: £104,744*
Funding dates: February 2023 - January 2026
*Supported by Stand Against MND
About the project
To cure motor neuron disease, it is essential to first understand which neural mechanisms are altered in the brain or spinal cord. Progranulin (PGRN) is glycoprotein secreted by cells in the brain which plays a key role in the lysosome (breaks down cells and removes waste). Defects in lysosomes could lead to the build-up of pathogenic TDP-43 seen in many cases of MND. The aim of this project is to characterise the role of each of the 8 GRNs (which make up PGRN) and identify which GRNs are protective against lysosomal defects and neuronal death. Any protective GRNs will then be used in a type of gene therapy and tested as a therapeutic strategy in animal models of MND.
What could this mean for MND research?
In order to find potential new drugs to help treat MND, researchers need to understand the mechanisms and pathways that go wrong. This project aims to understand the role of GRN proteins and see if any have protective features against motor neurone death. If this is the case then this information can be used to help develop new therapeutic therapies.
Project code: 903-792
