Project Title: Investigating the role of inducible proteasome subunits in neuronal models of tauopathies
Supervisors: Dr Yu Ye, Dr Johanna Jackson, Professor Amin Hajitou
Location: Level 7, Sir Michael Uren Hub, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, W12 0BZ
About Me
I am a PhD student in the Ye lab in the Department of Brain Sciences at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ, investigating the role of specific proteasomal degradation systems in the pathogenesis of tauopathies, like Alzheimer’s disease. In 2022, I graduated with a BSc in Biochemistry from 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ, where I became interested in the molecular basis of neurodegenerative disease. As part of my degree, I spent a Year Abroad in the Jockers lab at the Institut Cochin (Paris), where I was able to investigate the importance of tau to metabolic receptor dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease, alongside a parallel COVID19-focused project. In 2021, I undertook a summer UROP placement in the Ye lab, and was subsequently awarded a President’s scholarship to undertake my PhD at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ.
Qualifications
- 2018–2022: BSc Biochemistry with French for Science, 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ
Research Interests
Aggregate accumulation and pro-inflammatory signalling are key hallmarks of neurodegenerative disorders. Both can be regulated by proteasomes, large multi-subunit complexes responsible for degrading unnecessary or misfolded proteins to maintain protein homeostasis. I am interested in whether immune-activated subunits of the proteasome may be protective or detrimental to progression of neurodegenerative disorders. My project will investigate how these subunits contribute to aggregate accumulation and pro-inflammatory signalling in tauopathies, like Alzheimer’s disease. To achieve this, I am using using super resolution imaging and biochemical techniques on cellular neuronal models, generated from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, in combination with post-mortem brain tissue.
Selected Publications
Cecon E., Burridge M., Cao L., Carter L., Ravichandran R., Dam J., Jockers R. SARS-COV-2 spike binding to ACE2 in living cells monitored by TR-FRET. Cell Chem Biol. 2022; 29(1):74-83. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.06.008. PMID: 34246414
Workshops
EMBL Advanced Fluorescence Imaging Techniques Course ( Grant)
Professional memberships
- Biochemical Society
- Quantitative Biological Imaging Society
Outreach
- Great Exhibition Road Festival
- Making It Brain volunteer
Contact Details
Email: matilda.burridge18@imperial.ac.uk
LinkedIn:
