Department of Genetics &

Molecular Neurobiology

Ndr2 is a Serine Threonine kinase involved in neuronal development, cell cycle control & neurite growth. Recently we have explored the possibility that it might act as a major autophagy regulator in the brain. Neuronal Autophagy is involved in extensive functions such as protein homeostasis, organelle turnover memory formation and learning, moreover, impairments in autophagy have been implicated in the etiology of many neurodegenerative diseases. Interestingly, even though autophagy itself is under circadian regulation, not a lot is known about how it might be implicated in the alteration of circadian rhythms observed in pathological conditions or physiological ageing. That’s why, as a cand.med. my research will focus on determining what might be the role of Ndr2 in the circadian regulation of autophagy.

To achieve this, I will use mainly molecular methods, such as Protein biochemistry, cell culture and behavioral experiments.

Education

• Medical student at Otto-von-Guericke-University Germany since October 2019
• First Part of doctoral Exam (Physikum): 2021