CANCELLED Cologne Seminars on Ageing
- Date: Dec 4, 2025
- Time: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
- Speaker: Anne Bertolotti
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) (UK)
- Location: MPI for Biology of Ageing
- Room: Auditorium
- Host: Thorsten Hoppe (CECAD)
Dr. Bertolotti's talk has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.
About Dr. Bertolotti's talk:
Cells normally strive to ensure that proteins get correctly folded and have powerful and sophisticated mechanisms to maintain protein homeostasis (proteostasis) under adverse conditions. However, with age and in diseases, the cellular defense systems against misfolded proteins are overwhelmed, leading to the accumulation of misfolded proteins.
My lab has identified powerful small drug-like molecules that safely boost a natural defense system against misfolded by targeting the eIF2 phosphatases, thereby prolonging the integrated stress response. The inhibitors (Guanabenz, Sephin1 and Raphin1) have demonstrated therapeutic effects in various models of neurodegenerative diseases. In 2021, Guanabenz was found beneficial in a phase 2 clinical trial in ALS. Sephin1, has passed through favorable Phase 1 and Phase 2a clinical trials and Phase 2 trials are ongoing for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This demonstrates that generic approaches aimed at boosting protein quality control systems can be useful in diverse diseases, from the bench to the clinic.
This event is aimed at a specialist audience.