FUNDED PROJECTS

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating age-related disorder that leads to the gradual loss of memory and cognitive function. As the population ages, the number of people affected by AD is expected to double, and the cost of managing the disease has already reached over $345 billion in the United States alone.

While Alzheimer’s disease is associated with the accumulation of amyloid-β plaques and the death of neurons in the brain, the exact causes behind these features are still unclear. Metabolic problems, how the body and brain process energy and store fat, are now seen as playing a critical role in Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, mice and rats do not accurately mimic human metabolism, making it difficult to study the disease or develop effective treatments. Therefore, human-focused models of Alzheimer’s disease are sorely needed.

This research project aims to use human brain organoids (tiny lab-grown models of the human brain) equipped with advanced microsensors to study the genetic and metabolic drivers of Alzheimer’s disease. The project will combine groundbreaking robotic tools with cutting-edge genetics providing an unprecedented view of Alzheimer’s disease in a human-relevant model.

One of the key technologies we will use is a robotic platform developed by Dr. Nahmias’ team that can produce and monitor organoids. These brain organoids will have embedded microsensors that track metabolic changes, such as oxygen use and glucose consumption in real-time. Dr. Reiner’s team has also developed a collection of Alzheimer’s disease -related genetic mutations, which will be used to create brain organoids that mimic the disease. This approach allows us to study how specific genetic changes and metabolic dysfunctions contribute to Alzheimer’s disease progression. Additionally, by using robotics to test a wide range of genes linked to aging, we can uncover how various genetic and environmental factors interact to trigger the disease.

This project is groundbreaking because it moves beyond traditional animal models, focusing instead on human brain models that more closely reflect the real conditions in which Alzheimer’s disease develops. The ability to monitor metabolic and genetic changes in real-time will provide new insights into how Alzheimer’s disease starts and progresses, and it could lead to the discovery of new, more effective treatments. By understanding the earliest stages of the disease, this research could help create better interventions before the damage becomes irreversible.

In conclusion, this study represents a major leap forward in Alzheimer’s research. Using human brain organoids, real-time metabolic monitoring, and advanced robotics, we hope to transform how the scientific community understands AD and open new doors to innovative treatments that can ease the growing burden of this devastating disease.