The "Molecular Mechanisms in Neurodegenerative Dementias" laboratory (MMDN, UMR_S 1198 Inserm/University of Montpellier/EPHE) is an interdisciplinary laboratory whose research focuses on aging and neurodegenerative diseases, from the cellular to the human level. The laboratory’s primary objective is to gain a better understanding of the molecular and social mechanisms of physiological aging, as well as neurodegenerative diseases. These approaches aim to develop avenues for diagnosis, care, and treatment. Our research projects are based on three main areas of focus:
- The Mechanisms of Aging: From the Single Cell to the Human Being. Aging is a continuous process that begins at conception, continues during development, and persists throughout life. What sets us apart is our ability to study these processes at both the cellular level and in human populations.
- Design and development of animal models. Our primary goal is to identify and understand not only the early mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, before pathological processes emerge, but also their more chronic phases. To this end, we develop a variety of complementary models, both in vitro (cell cultures) and in vivo (Drosophila, zebrafish, mice, rats, and primates).
- Therapeutic strategies. Based on our cellular and animal models, we are developing specific therapeutic strategies involving pharmacological approaches, gene therapy, peptide delivery, and dietary supplementation. With a view to translating our findings into clinical practice, we evaluate our therapeutic strategies using behavioral monitoring and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
