Martens, Sascha

In the ERC-funded DegrAbility project, cell biologist Sascha Martens is investigating how the protective mechanisms of autophagy work: Our cells constantly produce new proteins and break down old ones to stay healthy. When this balance is disrupted, damaged or misfolded proteins can clump together. Such deposits are toxic to cells and play a crucial role in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. The project combines expertise in cell biology, biochemistry and state-of-the-art structural biology to understand which properties make protein aggregates degradable by autophagy – and which do not. By identifying the weak points of the autophagy system and developing approaches to solve them, the way may be paved for new, cause-oriented therapies for diseases such as Alzheimer's.