Per Svenningsson
Karolinska Institutet
Sweden
Molecular imaging in neuropathology
Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research
3,373,232
01-07-2014
5.0
Alzheimer's disease & other dementias|Parkinson's disease & PD-related disorders
Medical whole body imaging has revolutionized medicine, and given access to hidden spaces, such as the CNS. Another revolution is the new micro/nanoscope super-resolution technology of within-cell localization and techniques for atomic structures of membrane proteins. Our approach is the concerted activity in 5 different groups with imaging at the Ångström to meter levels for medical diagnosis and treatment. The primary targets are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) now preferably called 7-transmembrane (7TM) proteins since not all signal thru G-proteins and particularly GPR37 target in Parkinson´s disease and the additional target Aβ-peptide(aggregates in Alzheimers disease): Atomic structures of 7TMs thru collaboration with an adjunct US/Chinese laboratory. Direct analysis of molecular interactions in the living cell using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). Functional dimerization and pathologic aggregation of 7TMs with FCS and cross correlation (FCCS). Neuropathologic lesions and localization in CNS thru positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Optogenetic probes to trigger functional repair in stroke and spinal cord trauma. By definition a living system is dynamic, and our approach is technology allowing studies of molecular movements and direct interactions.