Researchers' Proposals

OXIDATIVE STRESS AND MITOCHONDRIA IN NEURODEGENERATION

Molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration diseases especially that of Parkinson’s disease. Oxidative stress and the role of mitochondria in inducing cellular disfunctions, damage or cell death are especially in the focus of our interest. In this respect many aspects of mitochondrial functions are being studied such as the characteristics of calcium uptake and release, mitochondrial membrane potential, the role of the respiratory drain in producing reactive oxygen species and the major mitochondrial targets of oxidative stress. The model of this studies are isolated nerve terminals, cultured brain capillary endothelial cells and neuronal cell cultures.