Further investigation of the regulatory proteins controlling presenilin complexes may reveal other potential targets for drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease, which affects as many as 4.5 million Americans and nearly half a million Canadians. Up to now, attempts to develop medicines to inhibit amyloid-beta production have been hindered, the researcher said, because they frequently inhibit the normal and essential signaling functions too.
Michael Glista, a senior at Kalamazoo College in Michigan, worked in St George-Hyslop's laboratory as an HHMI undergraduate researcher during the summer of 2005. He helped develop a technique for purifying TMP21 for use in cell-free experiments. Although Glista's stay was brief, St George-Hyslop welcomed the help of the young man, whom he called "a highly driven and focused student."
Glista, one of 21 undergraduates that HHMI placed in the labs of its international research scholars worldwide in 2005, said he particularly wanted to work in St George-Hyslop's lab because of the importance of Alzheimer's research. "When I explained the work I did to others, a lot of them could really relate to it, which is great positive reinforcement," said Glista.
His biomedical research experience also helped to confirm his desire to pursue an M.D.-Ph.D. degree. "Dr. St George-Hyslop told me that you don't go into research to become famous; you do it because you love it. I think this is really practical advice that rings true for me," said Glista.
'"/>
Contact: Jennifer Donovan
donovanj@hhmi.org
301-215-8859
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
26-Apr-2006