# PROVIDE NEW INSIGHTS IN ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN INDUCED CELL MEMBRANE DISRUPTION USING SCANNING ION CONDUCTANCE MICROSCOPY AND SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE MICROSCOPY

> **NIH NIH R15** · CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LOS ANGELES · 2024 · $438,000

## Abstract

Abstract:
 Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a leading neurodegenerative disorder attributed to the abnormal folding and
aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in dopaminergic neurons. The exact causative mechanism, however,
remains unclear. Leveraging advanced techniques like scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) and
surface plasmon resonance microscopy (SPRM), our previous work elucidated how α-synuclein oligomers might
compromise neuronal membranes, while pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) primarily influence membrane roughness
without inducing significant cytotoxicity. This new phase aims to deepen our understanding by exploring the role
of phosphorylated α-syn (P-syn), a pathological variant of α-syn. The objectives include synthesizing and
characterizing P-syn, assessing its impact on neuronal membranes, and evaluating its influence on iron-driven
dopamine oxidation. Furthermore, we will investigate the role of environmental toxins, specifically nanoplastics,
in α-syn aggregation and its subsequent interactions with membranes. The outcomes from this research are
anticipated to shed light on the molecular intricacies of PD and potentially pave the way for targeted therapeutic
strategies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10974782
- **Project number:** 2R15NS120157-02
- **Recipient organization:** CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Yixian Wang
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $438,000
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10974782

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10974782, PROVIDE NEW INSIGHTS IN ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN INDUCED CELL MEMBRANE DISRUPTION USING SCANNING ION CONDUCTANCE MICROSCOPY AND SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE MICROSCOPY (2R15NS120157-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10974782. Licensed CC0.

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