Phone: (205) 996-7252                      
E-mail: shacka@uab.edu

Research/Clinical Interest Title: Targeting the Autophagy-Lysosome Pathway for Therapeutic in Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disease
Research/Clinical Interest Description: The autophagy lysosome pathway (ALP) shuttles long-lived and/or damaged proteins and organelles to lysosomes for enzymatic degradation and recycling. The ALP thus provides energy to the cell and maintains intracellular quality control. Although the ALP is ordinarily a cell survival pathway, its function decreases with normal brain aging and in neurodegenerative diseases, and may be associated with the aberrant accumulation of toxic proteins that are pathogenic to both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The Shacka Lab uses a combined in vitro (cell culture, genetic and biochemical assays) and in vivo (experimental animal models) approach to identify and validate candidate molecular targets for their ability to enhance the clearance of proteins that contribute to AD and PD pathogenesis. We hope that these pre-clinical investigations focused on ALP-specific molecules will elucidate rational therapeutic strategies that will ultimately delay the onset and progression of AD and PD.