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Virginia
M.-Y. Lee, Ph.D., M.B.A.
The John H. Ware 3rd Professor in Alzheimer's Research
Dept of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Director, Center for Neurodegenerative
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
3600 Spruce Street/3rd Floor Maloney Building/4283
215-662-6427; Lab: 215-662-3292; Fax: 215-349-5909
email: vmylee@mail.med.upenn.edu
Web address: http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/cndr/
Click here for selected publications since Dr. Lee's arrival at Penn
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Biology of tau, synucleins and amyloid beta precursor proteins (APPs) in health and disease.
RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
Protein biochemistry; cell and molecular biology; monoclonal antibody production; immunochemical and immunocytochemical techniques; tissue culture; transgenic mouse models; and electron microscopy.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Virginia M.-Y. Lee's research interest focuses on tau, a -synuclein and amyloid beta precursor protein (APP), and their roles in the pathobiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and frontotemporal dementias (FTD). In particular, Dr. Lee wants to determine the pathogenesis of senile plaques, Lewy bodies and neurofibrillary tangles because these are major lesions found in the brains of AD patients and other neurodegenerative diseases. Information obtained from this research program may shed light on how neurons degenerate in AD and PD and lead to a better understanding of the etiology of these diseases. A multi-disciplinary approach (including biochemical and molecular studies of neuronal culture systems, animal models and human tissues obtained at autopsy) is used in the laboratory to address these research issues in common with these neurodegenerative diseases. Other research efforts focus on an increased understanding of the normal functions of tau, synuclein, and APP. Dr. Lee is involved in collaborative initiatives to advance drug discovery in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
KEY WORDS:
Alzheimer's disease; tauopathies; APPs; Parkinson's disease; synucleinopathies
