There has been a vast amount of progress in the understanding of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although we have gained an apparent understanding of the molecular processes/proteins underlying AD, there still remains no cure or treatment.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterised by the presence of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary hyperphosphorylated tau (NFT) tangles. Tau pathology appears to be a better predictor of cognitive dysfunction than amyloid deposition in AD, suggesting that hyperphosphorylated Tau plays an important role in disease progression However, there have been conflicting data on the role that Tau hyperphosphorylation plays in its aggregation/pathology. In addition to phosphorylation, Tau undergoes numerous post-translational modifications, which appear to also play a role in its pathology.

In this project, we will use the powerful genetics that the Drosophila model organism affords, to answer really pertinent questions, on the importance/relevance of aspects of Tau biology in AD. This project will utilize expertise in Drosophila genetics & techniques and will span neuroscience and molecular biology providing a broad and multidisciplinary training for the student. The data achieved should provide more insight on the biology of Tau, and also uncover possible avenue/s for therapeutic intervention/s of Alzheimer's disease.