# Defining the genetic contribution of glia in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis

> **NIH NIH K08** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 2021 · $176,421

## Abstract

The overarching goal of this project is to define the contribution of glia to Parkinson’s disease (PD) and thereby
generate novel glial therapeutic targets. To do this, I will use an innovative approach that combines the power
of Drosophila genetics with state of the art human cell culture systems. Specifically, I will identify novel glial
modifiers of neuronal α-synuclein toxicity using a novel dual bipartite Drosophila α-synucleinopathy transgenic
system, confirm the expression of these modifiers in human PD brain tissue, and then determine their
mechanism using both Drosophila models and human cells by co-culturing human iPSC-derived astrocytes
and neurons.
In completing the project, I will gain
essential training in these diverse, state of
the art model systems, which will fill gaps
in my current skillset. The career
development plan has been carefully
crafted to support my goal of becoming a
leading independent investigator in PD
research, simultaneously directing a
research team and treating patients with
PD. The plan includes an outstanding
mentorship team composed of
internationally known experts in
neurodegeneration and Parkinson’s
disease: Dr. Mel Feany, Dr. Dennis
Selkoe, Dr. Clemens Scherzer, and Dr.
Vikram Khurana. The senior members of
my membership team have an outstanding record of training physician scientists who rise to prominence in the
field of neurodegeneration. The institutional resources available through Brigham and Women’s Hospital and
Harvard Medical School are world class and will support my career in an environment that can foster high
impact contributions and collaborative endeavors. Upon successful completion of this project, I will be ideally
positioned to be an independent investigator, answering fundamental questions about the contribution of glia to
PD through the unique expertise I have gained in glial neurobiology in Drosophila and humans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10187667
- **Project number:** 5K08NS109344-04
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Abby Lauren Olsen
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $176,421
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2022-06-13

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10187667

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10187667, Defining the genetic contribution of glia in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis (5K08NS109344-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10187667. Licensed CC0.

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