Neuron-specific transcriptome analysis in mice models of neurodegenerative diseases

Discoveries of mutations in RNA binding proteins (RBPs) in several human neurodegenerative diseases strongly suggest that perturbation of RNA metabolism can lead to the diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). However, it remains a mystery why specific neuronal cells are highly vulnerable despite the fact that RBPs are expressed throughout the body. In this project, we will perform a genome-wide transcriptome analysis of specific neuronal cells in mice models of neurodegenerative diseases at different disease stages, and aim to identify neuron-specific RNAs that create unique vulnerabilities and understand the pathological mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases.