Page 20 - Abacoa Community News - January '25

Page 20, Abacoa

Science On The Cutting Edge from page 18 dopamine neurons,” said Rodriguez Jr. “Rather, Cu(I) levels,
and these good things that Cu(I) does, are greatly diminished
dopamine neurons and published what we thought was a fairly body-wide. Another striking finding is that though changes
complete story.” occur with Cu(I) and its actions across the body, these deficits
But further studies by another past graduate student in the arise from the loss of swip-10 from a small number of cells in
Blakely lab, Chelsea Gibson, Ph.D., showed that the overactive the head of the animal known as glia, which make up only 5 Bailey Foundation Builds
dopamine neurons in swip-10 mutants exhibit degeneration percent of the cells in the animal’s body.”
much earlier in life than normal worms, as seen in Parkinson’s Glial cells are well known to support the signaling and health Runway For Future Scientists
disease (PD). Other types of neurons in swip-10 mutant worms of neurons in many organisms. Indeed, in the worm, Rodriguez
besides those making dopamine also demonstrate degeneration, Jr. could restore the health of worms, as well as whole body $4M Gift Expands STEM Education At The
suggesting to Blakely’s team that links to brain disease might Cu(I) levels, by expressing a normal copy of the swip-10 gene Wertheim UF Scripps Institute
mirror other neurodegenerative disorders besides PD. only in glial cells.
A clue to such disorders came with the decoding of the “The powerful control of Cu(I) exerted by swip-10 points to Hands-on research
swip-10 gene sequence where Blakely’s team found that humans a novel opportunity to sustain neuronal health,” said Blakely. experience can spark a
possess a gene highly related to swip-10, termed MBLAC1. Interestingly, the antibiotic ceftriaxone, which the Blakely lab lifelong passion for science
Then, in 2019, geneticist Iris Broce, Ph.D., at the University of found to bind MBLAC1 protein, has been reported by multiple and technology. A new $4
California, San Francisco, fingered MBLAC1 as a risk factor for groups to be neuroprotective in vitro and in animal models, million grant from the Glenn
a particular form of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), one accompanied though its mechanism of action is currently unclear. Blakely’s W. Bailey Foundation will
by cardiovascular disease (AD-CDV). Importantly, they also team believes ceftriaxone’s action relates to modulating copper amplify educational initiatives
found a significant reduction in MBLAC1 expression in the homeostasis. based at The Herbert Wertheim
frontal cortex of humans with AD-CDV, suggesting a role “Ceftriaxone isn’t a particularly powerful drug, doesn’t get UF Scripps Institute for
for MBLAC1 in supporting the health of both the brain and into the brain very well compared to other medications, and Biomedical Innovation &
peripheral organs such as the heart. So where is the copper link? can cause antibiotic resistance and other side-effects. So it’s not Technology. The gift will Students from Emerald Cove
“It turns out that MBLAC1 encodes an enzyme key to the surprising that it hasn’t proved useful in the clinic,” said Blakely. expand training opportunities Middle School’s Pre-IT
production of another class of proteins, termed histones, well “Perhaps now that we have a better idea as to what swip-10 and for aspiring scientists by Academy conduct a drug
known to compact long strands of DNA so they can form MBLAC1 do, we think that we may be able to design a truly nurturing the institute’s discovery simulation during a
chromosomes,” said Blakely. useful medication to treat neurodegenerative disease.” acclaimed graduate fellowship recent field trip to the institute.
But certain histones possess an additional, surprising activity, Study co-authors are Rodriguez, Jr., first author; Vrinda program, its Kenan Fellows Pictured are Silvanna Salazar
the ability to convert Cu(II) to Cu(I), and when mutations in Kalia, Ph.D., Columbia University; Cristina Fenollar Ferrer, High School internships and and Jalyssa Vaccianna. A
these proteins were generated by Narsis Attar, M.D., Ph.D., Ph.D., FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute; Chelsea L. Gibson, its community education and new gift from the Glenn W.
at the University of California, Los Angeles, these cells show Ph.D., Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Zayna outreach programs. Bailey Foundation supports
much lower production of Cu(I), higher amounts of ROS, their Gichi, Blakely Lab; André Rajoo, FAU Harriet L. Wilkes “The Glenn W. Bailey expansion of such education
mitochondria function poorly, and they fail to thrive. Honors College; Carson D. Matier, Ph.D.; University of Foundation is pleased outreach efforts.
Connecting the dots across the years, Peter Rodriguez Jr., California, Berkeley; Aidan Pezacki and Tong Xiao; Princeton to support and grow these
a current graduate student and lead scientist on the study in University and University of California, Berkeley; Lucia opportunities, as part of our mission of supporting STEM
the Blakely lab, reasoned that swip-10 mutants also would fail Carvelli, Ph.D., FAU Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and FAU education in the United States,” said the Glenn W. Bailey Board
to produce the requisite histones, leading to a loss of Cu(I), Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute; Christopher J. Chang, Ph.D., of Trustees.
mitochondrial dysfunction, and an elevation of ROS, which Princeton University and University of California, Berkeley; Courtney Miller, Ph.D., director of academic affairs at The
could be a major reason the worm’s dopamine neurons die. In Gary W. Miller, Ph.D., Columbia University; Andy V. Khamoui, Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, said the gift will benefit students
the new study, Rodriguez Jr., and collaborators show that this Ph.D., FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; and Jana and educators throughout the Palm Beach and Martin counties.
is indeed the case, and moreover, find that they can rescue ATP Boerner, Ph.D., FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. “There’s simply nothing that can replicate the real-world
production, reduce ROS, and promote survival of dopamine The research was supported by Steven and Deborah experience of conducting experiments, gathering data and
neurons by supplementing their diet with Cu(I) or by exposing Schmidt, the Florida Department of Health, and a pilot award making discoveries, guided by an expert mentor,” she said. “This
them to a drug known to increase Cu(I) levels in cells. from the FAU Mangurian Center for Brain Health (awarded life-changing opportunity provides students with a window
“Surprisingly, the impact of loss of swip-10 on Cu(I), worm to Blakely), and the National Institutes of Health (awarded to
bioenergetics, and oxidative stress is not just an impact felt by Miller, Kalia and Chang). Science On The Cutting Edge on page 21

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