The Pickering lab is interested in the role of proteostasis, particularly the proteasome in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Proteostasis is critical for a wide range of neuronal and non-neuronal functions. As we get older many of these proteostatic functions decline. This is even greater in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. We've found that prevention of neuronal proteostatic decline (both both drug and pharmacologic) can extend animal lifespan and protect against age-related cognitive declines and reduce Alzheimer’s disease like pathology in multiple model systems.
We use cell culture, fruit flies, mice and human tissue to investigate the role of proteostasis in aging and neurodegenerative disease. We are also interested in development of pharmacolgic targets which can prevent proteostatic deficits.
