Age-related Disorders - Malcolm A. Leissring

Overview

Research in the laboratory of Malcolm A. Leissring, Ph.D., at Mayo Clinic in Florida is focused on elucidating the molecular pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, with an emphasis on discovering and evaluating novel therapeutic approaches. Comorbidity between Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes is another emerging area of interest for the lab.

Toward these ends, the laboratory employs a wide range of techniques, including high-throughput screening, medicinal chemistry, cell and molecular biology, and animal model development and characterization.

The lab recently developed novel modulators of insulin-degrading enzyme, an atypical zinc-metalloprotease that degrades both insulin and the amyloid-beta protein that accumulates in Alzheimer's disease. The lab is actively engaged in evaluating the therapeutic potential of these compounds in appropriate cellular and animal models.