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High-Speed Correlative Live Imaging Microscope for Biomedical Applications

Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge
Department Name: Chemistry

Abstract

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Description We have built a novel microscope and used it to look at the how the imune response responds to protein aggregates which form in neurodegenerative disease. This process takes place at the cell surface using toll-like receptors which lead to the formation of a signalling complex called a Myddosome. We could directly watch the formation of Myddosomes on live cells and see how the rate of their formation, their size and how long they lasted differed when we stimulated the cell with a lipid from a bacteria, which is small, and the larger aggregates. we found it took longer to form Myddosomes with the protein aggregates and that the complexes were bigger and dissassamble more slowly. This starts to explain why the immune response to protein aggregates as formed in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease is different from the response to an infection. This is important since the low level continual immune response plays a key role in the development of Alzheimer's disease
Exploitation Route By determining the details of Myddosome formation and the innate immune response to protein aggregates it becomes possible to develop drugs to stop the process which may lead to a treatment for chronic inflammation in the long run
Sectors Healthcare

 
Description Myddosome formation 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Department School of Clinical Medicine
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We are imaging the formation of Myddosomes in live macrophage when triggered by protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative disease
Collaborator Contribution Macrophage with GFP labelled Myd88.
Impact Paper published in Elife
Start Year 2023
 
Description GYSS23 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Talk at international meeting in Singapore about scientific research and its impact
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023