Guest Seminar: Lesley MacNeil

Host: Dr. Aaron Reinke

Speaker: Lesley MacNeil, PhD, McMaster University

Title: Using C. elegans to mine the human microbiome for neuroprotective factors

Date: Monday, July 10, 2023 Time: 10:00 AM EST Location: Room 1622 MaRS

Talk Abstract:

Changes in the composition of the microbiome are observed in many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. How bacteria influence neurodegeneration is poorly understood. Using C. elegans as a model system, we measured neurodegeneration in response to bacterial species isolated from the human microbiome. From this analysis, we identified bacterial strains that promote neuroprotection in models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Genetic analysis suggests more than one mechanism of protection. We characterized the host response to these bacteria and find that in a model of Alzheimer’s disease, protection mediated by Enterobacter species is likely mediated through the regulation of proteins that modify tau. However, protection by other species likely occurs via a different mechanism. We are characterizing the bacteria and the host response to understand the mechanism of micro-induced neuroprotection.