Identification of Neurodegenerative Disease Biomarkers

We are using GM1 gangliosidosis disease biology to identify a metric that allows us to measure disease progression for each individual patient. We use cellular techniques to draw correlations between currently immeasurable changes in the brain with measurable output signals. This would allow for doctors to provide earlier interventions to patients, with knowledge of their disease state.

Funded by the National Science Foundation CAREER Program

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Discovery of Parkinson’s Disease Drivers

Parkinson’s disease is marked by lack of available treatments, complicated by a lessened understanding of the disease drivers. We have identified two major avenues to explore to fill this gap: the role of dopamine-producing neurons and the role of tyrosine hydroxylase as a driver to enhance dopamine production. Here, we explore the effects of increasing the number of dopamine-producing neurons in tandem with increasing tyrosine hydroxylase concentrations in the brains of a chemical induced zebrafish model of Parkinson’s disease.

Funded by Clemson’s Core Incentivized Access Program