About us

We are interested in understanding the logic by which interactions that are mediated by intrinsically disordered proteins can regulate complex cellular processes and how defects in interactions lead to disease. In our research, we are also addressing questions related to protein misfolding and aggregation. Protein aggregation and amyloid formation have been linked to a variety of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. We are developing new computational approaches to study protein aggregation and predict the structure proteins adopt in amyloid fibrils. Using high-throughput screening methods, we further aim at understanding which protein-protein interactions are affected in neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and more specifically, which signaling pathways most perturbed.

We welcome any questions, comments, and bug reports. Please send an email to Joerg Gsponer (gsponer AT msl.ubc.ca). If you would like your data to be added to NeuroGem or to add by yourself, please address your inquiries to Joerg Gsponer.

Citation

D. Na et al. (2012) “NeuroGeM, a knowledgebase of genetic modifiers in neurodegenerative diseases” BMC Medical Genomics 2013, 6:52 (link)

Visit: Our lab | Michael Smith Laboratories | University of British Columbia

People inside

Joerg Gsponer Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Centre for High-throughput Biology University of British Columbia Canada
In collaboration with
David Rubinsztein Department of Medical Genetics University of Cambridge Cambridge Institute for Medical Research UK
Cahir J. O'Kane Department of Genetics University of Cambridge UK

Support

Joerg Gsponer, David C. Rubinsztein and Cahir J. O’Kane were supported by the Centres of Excellence in Neurodegeneration Research (CoEN).
Joerg Gsponer was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
David C. Rubinsztein was supported by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and a Wellcome Trust Principal Fellowship.