Transcriptomics and Neurodegeneration

Project Overview

We investigate the genomic and transcriptomic alterations underlying neurodegenerative diseases. Our findings reveal that neuronal DNA damage accumulates progressively in Alzheimer’s disease, driven by pathogenic mechanisms. We analyze region-specific endothelial cell heterogeneity and transcriptomic responses to amyloid-β plaques, tau tangles, and APOE variants. Additionally, we explore astrocyte transcriptomic changes over disease progression and identify therapeutic targets such as STMN2 and UNC13A in TDP-43 proteinopathies.

Publications

• Das, S. et al. (2023). “Distinct transcriptomic responses to Aβ plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and APOE in Alzheimer’s disease.” Alzheimer’s & Dementia 20(1), 74-90.
• Wachter, A. et al. (2024). “Landscape of brain myeloid cell transcriptome along the spatiotemporal progression of Alzheimer’s disease reveals distinct sequential responses to Aβ and tau.” Acta Neuropathologica 147(1), 65.
• Collins, M. et al. (2025). “Ubiquitin-Proteasome System Dysregulation in Alzheimer’s Disease Impacts Protein Abundance.” [Preprint]