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Karina Vargas

Postdoc
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About

Biography

Research Interests: I am interested in the physiological function of a-synuclein in neurons, especially its putative function in synaptic vesicle recycling (SVR). A-synuclein is implicated in Parkinson's disease, and malfunction of this protein in the modulation of SVR could be key in the search for possible new treatments.

Parkinson Disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease. α-Synuclein plays a critical for familial and sporadic Parkinson Disease. This 14 KDa protein is highly expressed in the presynaptic compartment, but its function is still unknown. a-Synuclein was identified independently in several biological contexts as synaptic vesicle-associated components in the Torpedo electrical organ, as developmentally regulated gene products in the telencephalic circuit responsible for song learning in birds, and as generally abundant phosphoproteins in the mammalian brain. a-Synuclein belongs to a family of three proteins: α-, β- and γ-sunuclein and all of which are able to bind acidic lipids and sense membrane curvature.

I am using mice that lack all synucleins, abg-synuclein triple knock outs to investigate a putative function for α-Synuclein in synaptic vesicle recycling. To achieve this goal I am using different approaches such a live imaging of synaptic vesicle recycling, immunelectron microscopy and biochemistry. Once I have molecularly defined the function of synucleins, my studies will be able to elucidate if deterioration of this function could contribute to the etiology of Parkinson's disease.

Hometown: Dalcahue, Chiloé, Chile

Hobbies: I enjoy sports in general, but especially swim and squash when I have some free time. I regularly practice yoga and tango. For fun, I sing karaoke with friends and watch Dr. Who.

Education & Training

PhD
Austral University of Chile (2010)

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