Role of PINK1 in neuronal development and synpatic plasticity: implications to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's

Ruben K. Dagda, Ph.D. received his doctoral training at the University of Iowa under the tutelage of Dr. Stefan Strack and his postdoctoral training at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine under the mentorship of Dr. Charleen Chu. As an associate professor the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Dr. Dagda is currently investigating the molecular mechanisms that lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in cell culture, tissue and animal models of Parkinson's disease.

He has authored in over 57 research manuscripts and review articles in the areas of toxicology, toxinology, mitochondrial function, neurodegeneration and neurobiology. At the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, he is committed to the training and education of undergraduate, graduate students and postdocs in his lab. His main research goals are to elucidate the prosurvival signaling pathways that regulate mitochondrial function, transport and turn-over in neurons and how aging and neurodegenerative diseases negatively impact these physiological processes. With the support of an NIH/R01 grant, Dr. Dagda’s research group is currently investigating how the PTEN-induced Kinase 1 (PINK1) interacts with Protein Kinase A in subcellular compartments in neurons to regulate synaptic plasticity, neuronal survival and mitochondrial function, and how disruption in this neuroprotective signaling axis contributes to both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease pathology. The end goal is to develop novel small molecular drugs that can reverse neurodegeneration and elevate mitochondrial function in age-related neurodegenerative diseases.