Prof. Amalia Dolga (GRIP, University of Groningen) was awarded a research grant from Stichting Parkinson Fonds, of 250,000 Euros. This research will be performed by a talented Postdoctoral fellow, Angelica Sabogal Guaqueta, in collaboration with co-PI’s Prof. Arjan Kortholt (GBB, University of Groningen) and Prof. Sabeth Verpoorte (GRIP, University of Groningen). In this project, they will investigate how miscommunication between neurons and microglia affect the pathology of Parkinson’s disease. The team combines the expertise of the Dolga lab (iPSC differentiation into brain cells, including neurons and microglia, mitochondrial and LRRK2 biology), the Kortholt lab (LRRK2 biochemistry, tools and structure) and the Verpoorte lab (microfluidics for organ-on-a-chip) to characterize the role of LRRK2 mutations in differentiated microglia and neurons obtained from PD patients. Using linked microchambers in a microfluidic device, they will investigate whether the activity of LRRK2 could affect neuron-microglia communication.
Photo: Angelica Sabogal Guaqueta and Amalia Dolga (r)