Adjunct Associate Professor, Biophysics
About
The Ivanova Lab applies biochemical and biophysical methods to study protein misfolding, aggregation and amyloid fibril formation. The main focus of the Lab research revolves around the structure of alpha-synuclein, ubiquilin2, and RAN peptides. The abnormal folding of these proteins is implicated in Parkinson’s disease (PD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The ultimate goal is to understand the link between the abnormal protein conversion and cellular death. To study the driving forces that cause protein misfolding, lab researchers develop and validate in vitro systems and examine chemical and physical parameters impacting the formation, isolation and characterization of protein aggregates. Because structurally different aggregates often result from protein misfolding, a range of molecular and cellular systems may be utilized to study how protein aggregation affects cellular homeostasis. The Ivanova Lab employs advanced biophysical (electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction), biochemical (fluorescent based assays and kinetic) and cellular (brain tissue and immortal cells) systems.
Areas of Interest:
- Apply biochemical and biophysical methods to study the abnormal amyloid structures.
- Understand the link between protein misfolding and cell phenotypes.
- Develop strategies that interfere, or prevent, the formation of abnormal toxic structures.
