BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//132.216.98.100//NONSGML kigkonsult.se iCalcreator 2.20.4//
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:20260403T024719EDT-6786cW1Btd@132.216.98.100
DTSTAMP:20260403T064719Z
DESCRIPTION:\nSupported by the generosity of the Killam Trusts\, The Neuro'
 s Killam Seminar Series invites outstanding guest speakers whose research 
 is of interest to the scientific community at The Neuro and łÉČËVRĘÓƵ Univers
 ity.\n\n\nRegister Now\n\nTo watch online\, click here\n\nHost: Ted Fon\n
 \n\nHow Protein Aggregate Shape Shapes Neurodegeneration\n\nAbstract: The 
 defining feature of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and
  multiple system atrophy (MSA) is the presence of pathological α-synuclein
  aggregates within the brain. Evidence is accumulating that α-synuclein ca
 n polymerize into structurally distinct “strains” of aggregates. We and ot
 hers have hypothesized that conformational strains of α-synuclein may be r
 esponsible for enciphering disease variability across PD\, MSA\, and relat
 ed neurodegenerative disorders. Using a transgenic synucleinopathy mouse m
 odel\, we have found that distinct disease phenotypes can be induced by in
 jection with different strains of recombinant or human disease-derived α-s
 ynuclein aggregates. Recently\, we have been investigating how different s
 trains of α-synuclein aggregates may arise in the brain. We have found tha
 t considerable structural heterogeneity exists between individual preparat
 ions of recombinant α-synuclein fibrils. Moreover\, α-synuclein aggregates
  formed spontaneously in the brains of transgenic mice are conformationall
 y diverse. These results demonstrate that α-synuclein can spontaneously fo
 rm multiple strains within a consistent molecular environment\, which impl
 ies that stochastic misfolding into distinct aggregate structures drives t
 he emergence of α-synuclein strains.\n\nJoel Watts\n\nAssociate Professor\
 , Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of
  Biochemistry\, University of Toronto\n\nDr. Watts obtained his PhD in Lab
 oratory Medicine and Pathobiology from the University of Toronto and then 
 conducted postdoctoral research in the lab of Nobel laureate Stanley Prusi
 ner at the University of California San Francisco. He is currently a Princ
 ipal Investigator at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Dis
 eases\, an Associate Professor within the Department of Biochemistry at th
 e University of Toronto\, and is the Canada Research Chair in Protein Misf
 olding Disorders. His research interests include studying the role of self
 -propagating\, prion-like protein aggregates in Alzheimer’s disease and Pa
 rkinson’s disease as well as exploiting the unique properties of the bank 
 vole prion protein to develop improved animal and cellular models of the p
 rion disorders.\n
DTSTART:20260421T200000Z
DTEND:20260421T210000Z
LOCATION:de Grandpre Communications Centre\, The Neuro\, Montreal Neurologi
 cal Institute\, CA\, QC\, Montreal\, H3A 2B4\, 3801 rue University
SUMMARY:Killam Seminar Series: How Protein Aggregate Shape Shapes Neurodege
 neration
URL:/neuro/channels/event/killam-seminar-series-how-pr
 otein-aggregate-shape-shapes-neurodegeneration-372002
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR