Prof. Ruben J Cauchi from the Department of Physiology & Biochemistry and the Centre for Molecular Medicine & Biobanking delivered an invited lecture at the distinguished seminar series on neurodegeneration organised by the at .
The monthly lectures feature world-leading researchers on neurodegenerative disease, particularly those whose laboratories make use of the fruit fly model organism to make breakthroughs discoveries.
Past speakers included investigators and faculty members from renowned Universities around the globe including Harvard University, University of Cambridge, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania.
Prof. Cauchi’s lecture entitled ‘Linking genetic risk factors to ALS pathophysiology’ showcased the latest research on ALS by the at the University of Malta. ALS is a progressive neurological disease affecting the nerves that control the muscles of the body.
The discovery of novel genes that increase the risk of ALS was underscored. Prof. Cauchi also presented unpublished research by his team on the mechanism driving ALS by a major genetic risk factor. Preliminary evidence points to the probability that individuals at higher risk have a suboptimal ability to correct malformed proteins with this being further compromised with aging.
Current work by the UM Motor Neuron Disease Lab headed by Prof. Cauchi involves the discovery of strategies that mitigate the molecular defects occurring in motor neurons of ALS patients, which is expected to slow or halt the disease.
