Predicting the conversion of LRRK2 carriers to Parkinson disease: the role of blood and CSF biomarkers

The penetrance of LRRK2 mutations is highly variable and at present there is no means of predicting if and when non-manifesting LRRK2 mutation carriers will develop PD. This project will investigate whether two new diagnostic approaches can predict those LRRK2 mutation carriers that will go on to develop PD.
Dr Sammler has recently reported a novel assay to measure the LRRK2 kinase pathway activity in blood neutrophils, based on the monitoring of Rab10 phosphorylation.4 This has been shown to be a robust and novel approach to assessing LRRK2 activity. Dr Green has developed a protein aggregation assay, RT-QuIC, which detects aggregated α-synuclein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).5
The aim of this project would be to use these two novel biomarkers to predict which LRKK2 mutation carriers go on to develop PD. A number of sample cohorts will be used: CSF (BioFIND, PPMI), and blood and CSF (Prof Eduardo Tolosa, Barcelona and Dundee).
How is the project collaborative?
This project is collaborative as the student will work in laboratories based at MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee (Dr Sammler, LRRK2 kinase activity) and at the National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit, University of Edinburgh (Dr Green, α-syn RT-QuIC). The blood and CSF cohorts will be shared between the two sites, wherever possible.

Additional Project Info

This PhD project is part of a Dundee-Edinburgh Parkinson’s Research Initiative that brings together clinicians and scientists with expertise in movement disorders, genetics, cell signalling, regenerative medicine, drug discovery, health informatics and clinical trials to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of Parkinson’s and exploit this knowledge to develop and evaluate novel therapies in the clinic. The PhD project will be based in either Dundee or Edinburgh, but will be highly collaborative with significant interaction with the co-supervisor at the partner University.