What’s the link
between nerve cell
death and
mitochondria in
Parkinson’s?
Alex
Project information
Lead researcher
Dr Alex Whitworth
Location
University of Sheffield
Cost
£99,881 over 36 months
Start date
February 2008
Type of project
Project Grant
Project code
G-0713
Project summary
Mitochondria play an essential role in all cells, providing the energy needed to live and
function properly. They are effectively the tiny energy-producing batteries that are present
inside cells. Nerve cells have very high energy demands because of the huge amount of
work they do, which means their mitochondria have to work extra hard. This makes them
very vulnerable to factors that may be harmful. In Parkinson’s, mitochondria don’t seem to
work properly. The research team are investigating the link between defective
mitochondria and nerve cell death in Parkinson’s.
What the researchers are doing
Dr Whitworth and his team will use the fruit fly as a model to understand the causes of
Parkinson’s. They will study genes in the fly that are very similar to those found in human
nerve cells. These genes are very important in ensuring that the mitochondria work as
efficiently as possible to keep the nerve cells alive and functioning correctly. By studying
these genes which are linked to Parkinson’s, we will better understand how they normally
work and also what happens when there are problems and the consequences of when
they fail. The fruit fly is used as a model system for Parkinson’s as its genetic makeup can
easily be changed so that we can understand what genes do and what role they could play
in the death of nerve cells.
How the research will help people with Parkinson’s
It is only by understanding why a nerve cell dies that we can develop potential treatments
to prevent this from happening. This research project could help to identify new drugs that
can boost the faltering mitochondria and protect the nerve cells. These drugs may slow
down or halt the death of nerve cells and therefore effectively help us to develop a cure for
Parkinson’s.
About Dr Whitworth
Dr Whitworth gained a BSc at Imperial College London (1997) and then went on to earn a
PhD (2001) in the Department of Genetics at the University of Cambridge, studying the
genetic control of development in the fruit fly. Following this, Dr Whitworth conducted his
post-doctoral research at the University of Washington in Seattle, where the group
developed a new model to study Parkinson's disease. In July 2005 he was recruited to the
University of Sheffield to start up his own research group which continues to focus on
unravelling the mechanisms of nerve cell death, in particular Parkinson's.
For more information, please talk to the Research Team
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020 7963 9313
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