Group Leader
Mª João Saraiva

 

Neurodegeneration/Neuroprotection sub-group
PI: Maria João Saraiva
Team: Staff: 7 PhDs; 1 MDV; 6 PhD students; 3 Techs

The main objectives of the team are:

1.The identification and characterization of ethio-physiopathological mechanisms of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP), a peculiar form of neuropathy first described by the eminent Portuguese neurologist Corino de Andrade, which is characterized by the deposition of amyloid derived from transthyretin (TTR), in special on the peripheral nerves; we search for preventive, diagnostic and treatment forms of this disease. The technologies developed for these purposes are used, however, in studies of other TTR related disorders, in basic research of human physiology specially those associated with transport of thyroid hormones and vitamin A, natural ligands of TTR, and in general with TTR.

2. Signalling pathways involved in brain injury, particularly those related to Alzheimer disease and brain ischemia using unique animal models developed in our laboratory. We seek neuroprotective strategies to rescue phenotypes related to these degenerative conditions