Dr Rebecca Price, from the University of Liverpool’s Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, has been awarded a GIBA Network+ Fellowship to investigate how proteins produced by gut bacteria may contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide, yet many of the biological processes that drive these conditions remain poorly understood. Increasing evidence points to a potential role for the gut microbiome, with some gut bacteria producing proteins known as functional amyloids. These proteins share structural similarities with the harmful protein aggregates that accumulate in the brains of people living with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
The GIBA (Gut-Immune-Brain Axis) Network+ Fellowship Scheme supports ambitious early career researchers undertaking interdisciplinary research to advance understanding of the connections between the gut, immune system and brain across the life course. Through her fellowship, Dr Price will explore whether bacterial amyloids can trigger or accelerate the build-up of disease-associated proteins and influence inflammatory responses in the gut.
The project ‘Defining the role of bacterial amyloid in neurodegeneration’ will combine advanced structural biology approaches, laboratory studies and animal models to investigate how four common bacterial amyloids interact with proteins linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The research aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind these interactions and determine whether bacterial amyloids contribute to neurodegeneration.
The findings could help identify new therapeutic strategies that target the gut-brain axis and prevent harmful interactions between bacterial and human proteins.
Dr Price said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been awarded a GIBA Network+ Fellowship. Bacterial amyloids have been linked to neurodegeneration for over a decade, but the mechanisms behind this connection remain poorly understood. This fellowship will enable me to develop an interdisciplinary programme to answer this question and open up new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.”
Professor Pat Eyers, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, said: “Rebecca’s fellowship is a fantastic recognition of the quality and originality of her research. Understanding how the gut microbiome influences brain health is one of the most exciting frontiers in biomedical science, and this project has the potential to generate important new insights into the causes of neurodegenerative disease. We’re delighted to support Rebecca as she leads this innovative and interdisciplinary programme of research.”
By providing a deeper understanding of the links between gut bacteria and neurodegenerative disease, the fellowship has the potential to open new avenues for prevention and treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for people affected by Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and related conditions.