Institute of Experimental Physics
Topic
Targeting Amyloid Aggregation of Proteins: Exploring Small Molecule and Peptide-Based Inhibitors for Neurodegenerative Diseases
PhD. program
Biophysics
Year of admission
2025
Name of the supervisor
RNDr. Zuzana Bednáriková, PhD.
Contact:
Receiving school
Faculty of Science, P.J. Safarik University
Annotation
The prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases (AD, PD) continues to rise with aging of human population. These diseases often result from impaired protein synthesis, leading to the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the brain. The proteins aggregate into amyloid structures rich in β-sheets throughout various brain regions. Despite their widespread impact, the precise mechanisms driving amyloid formation remain poorly understood, and effective treatments remain elusive. This thesis will investigate novel inhibitors capable of modulating amyloid aggregation of intrinsically disordered proteins, focusing on Amyloid β peptides, Tau, and α-synuclein, which amyloid aggregation is associated with AD and PD. The research will evaluate the mechanisms of inhibition, structural interactions, and the impact of these inhibitors on pathological processes associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.