Description of Research Group
Our group investigates brain signaling mechanisms and molecules and how they are related to neurological and psychiatric disorders.
We are particularly interested in neurodevelopmental disorders (such as ADHD and autism) and neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease.
We have discovered risk factors for neuropsychiatric disorders and are intensively exploring proteins involved in brain functions, with the aim of developing new therapies.
These proteins include enzymes involved in the synthesis of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, enzymes involved in antioxidant defense and several regulatory and scaffolding proteins, such as 14-3-3 proteins.
In particular we have for more than 30 years had a particular interest in the aromatic amino acid hydroxylases, in particular the tyrosine and t:ryptophan hydroxy lases.
We study protein functions using biophysical and structural techniques, cell cultures, as well as mouse models and samples collected from human patients.
Technology, expertise and equipment
The lab uses a lot of different experimental approaches ranging from protein expression and purification, enzyme kinetic characterization, protein phosphorylation, different types of spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonans, drug target screening, cell and animal models, biobanks and genetic analysis, (in collaboration with other lab members, protein crystallization, SAXS). In addition we do some mathematical modelling of our pathways of interest.
