Jiang, Lulu
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Neuroscience
Contact Information
409 Lane Road
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Telephone: 434-924-8229
Email: wpm5vs@virginia.edu
Website: https://med.virginia.edu/neuroscience/faculty/primary-faculty/lulu-jiang-md-phd/
Research Disciplines
Development, Molecular Pharmacology, Neuroimmunology, Neuroscience, Stem Cells & Regeneration
Research Interests
The Pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other dementia-related disorders.
Research Description
Our research focuses on several key areas that drive our scientific interests and contribute to the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. These areas include:
1. Investigation of RNA modifications and epitranscriptomic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias. By studying how RNA modifications impact disease progression, we aim to uncover novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers.
2. Exploration of neuron-glia interactions and neuroimmunological mechanisms underlying the progression of AD and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Understanding the complex interplay between neurons and glial cells will provide crucial insights into the underlying mechanisms and potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.
3. Utilization of iPSC-induced 3D human brain organoid models to study neurodegenerative diseases and enable precision medicine approaches. These advanced models allow us to recapitulate the complexity of the human brain, facilitating the identification of disease mechanisms and the development of personalized treatment strategies.
4. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms driving prion-like propagation in the Braak stages of AD. Investigating the spread of pathological proteins in the brain will contribute to our understanding of disease progression and may lead to the development of interventions that disrupt this process.
5. Development of innovative genetic and small molecule therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. Our research aims to identify and optimize potential therapeutic targets, including genetic approaches and small molecules, with the goal of ultimately translating these findings into effective treatments for patients.
These research directions represent our current focus and ongoing projects, which collectively contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the development of new strategies for the management and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.