Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, pose a significant challenge to our aging society. There are no therapies to delay or halt these conditions. We recently discovered unexpected impairments in lysosomes during healthy brain aging. Lysosomes break down cellular waste, a process that is critical for maintaining the health of tissues and organs. We found that some brain cells develop lysosomal defects as they age, while others remain unaffected. This imbalance may play a key role in how common neurodegenerative diseases arise. Our project aims identify the precise molecules that promote or impair lysosomal health during aging, and to develop cutting-edge tools that speed-up discoveries. Using advanced biochemistry, sophisticated genetics, human systems, and state-of-the-art biomedical imaging, we anticipate our project will accelerate therapeutic discovery, helping academic and pharmaceutical researchers for the benefit of patients and society.

2025

2029