Caughey Research Group

TSE/Prion Biochemistry Section

Many neurodegenerative diseases are caused by prion-like self-propagating aggregates of specific proteins such as tau (e.g., Alzheimer’s), α-synuclein (e.g., Parkinson’s), and PrP (prion diseases). We emphasize biochemical, structural biological, and cell biological studies of such pathological aggregates. For example, we have used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the first high-resolution structures of bona fide infectious PrP prions. We have exploited the self-propagating properties of proteopathic aggregates to develop ultrasensitive seed amplification assays (RT-QuIC assays) that are not only valuable in fundamental research, but also providing high diagnostic accuracy for prion diseases and synucleinopathies using clinically accessible biospecimens. Our tau RT-QuIC assays can detect and discriminate different pathological forms of tau aggregates with unprecedented sensitivity, and we are currently evaluating their diagnostic utility. We are also seeking to improve the practicality and quantitative precision of RT-QuIC assays. Armed with our new near-atomic prion structures, we are seeking new approaches to blocking prion growth and toxicity for therapeutic purposes against prion disease.

Byron Caughey, Ph.D.

Chief, TSE/Prion Biochemistry Section

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Education:

Ph.D., 1985, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dr. Caughey received his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1985 and completed postdoctoral studies in pharmacology at Duke University Medical Center from 1985 to 1986. He has conducted TSE/prion research in the Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases since 1986. He became a tenured senior investigator in 1994.

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Christina Doriana Orru`-Grovemann, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)

Staff Scientist

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Education:

Ph.D., University of Cagliari, Italy

Languages Spoken: Italian

Dr. Orru`-Groveman received her Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Cagliari (Italy) in 2007 and completed her postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health in Dr. Caughey’ s laboratory. She has been a staff scientist since 2015 and has conducted prion research in the Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases since 2008. Dr. Orru`-Groveman is an associate editor for Frontiers...

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Andrew, G. Hughson, M.S. (He/Him/His)

Lab Technician/Microbiologist

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Education:

M.S., Genetics and Cell Biology, 1994, Washington State University

Lab technician in Dr. Caughey’s lab at Rocky Mountain Labs since 2001.

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Ankit Srivastava, Ph.D. (He/Him/His)

Visiting Fellow

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Education:

Ph.D., Indian institute of technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), India

Languages Spoken: Hindi

Dr. Ankit Srivastava earned a Ph.D. degree in biological sciences from the Indian institute of technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), India with emphasis on human prion protein and its endogenous and synthetic modulators.

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Efrosini Artikis, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)

Post-doctoral fellow

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Education:

Ph.D., Biophysics

B.S., Chemistry

Languages Spoken: Greek

With a background in computational biophysics, Efrosini’s research interests include protein folding, structure function relationships and neurodegenerative disease. Currently, her work employs a multi-disciplinary approach to investigate the mechanistic aspects of prion propagation and tau pathology.

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Parvez Alam, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

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Education:

Ph.D., Aligarh Muslim University, India

Languages Spoken: Hindi, Urdu

Parvez received his master’s degree and Ph.D. at the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India. His Ph.D. study investigated the inhibitory effect small molecules on amyloid formation in proteins. His current work is focused on to develop RT- QuIC based diagnostic assay for ALS and investigating the structural details of prion strains.

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Kachi Isiofia, B.S. (She/Her/Hers)

Postbaccalaureate Research Trainee

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Education:

Bachelor of Science, Biology, 2020, St. Joseph’s College, Patchogue, NY

Kachi Isiofia is a postbaccalaureate research trainee whose work centers on prion decontamination, with a focus on the efficacy of Hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Her research interests include amyloid seeding activity detection, protein biochemistry, and molecular biology.

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