YATOUI Dahbia

Neuropathology/biochemistry

Thesis projet: TDP 43  zinc induced aggregation in ALS

I study the aggregation of TDP43 which is the hallmark of many neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS and FTLD, my aim is to understand the mecanism by which this protein aggregation occurs, I'm interested in particular in the implication of zinc in the formation of these aggregates.

 Using different biophysical techniques ( NanoDSF, ITC,DLS,DSC... ), I study the interaction zinc-TDP43 in vitro, our goal is to identify which domain of TDP43 binds zinc ions and trigger the aggregation of the protein and which residues are implicated in this interaction.

 And using a cellular model we aim also to better understand how zinc induces TDP43 aggregation in the pathological condition of ALS.

This study provides more insight into understanding the physiopathology of ALS and gives more options for therapeutic approaches.