Interview of Folding of Proteins-Alzheimers

Dr. Felzien, Rockhurst University

Why did you choose this field?
I started out wanting to be a social worker but after I took a biology class I thought genetics was interesting. Also, I liked the molecular aspects like proteins and knowing how cells work.

Why should a doctor or researcher studying Alzheimer's know about evolution?
By researching animal models you can study the disease and studying the difference between human and animal genetics. By studying which animal model would be the best compared to humans would be a good source for evolutionary analysis.

Why should they know about protein mis-folding?
Knowing how proteins mis-fold we can understand diseases and know how the accumulation of abnormal cleavage and glutamine develops in Alzheimer's. Also, knowing why plaques and tangles occur can help understand why and if they are actually mis-folding.

How important is the search for a cure or finding out why/how Alzheimer's happens?
This is a huge search for a cure. One has to find the answers to where are the mutations/dispositions? People are living longer so now there is a higher percentage of elderly people getting Alzheimer's. The percentages alone show that 0.1% get Alzheimer's at age 60 while at age 80 it's 10%. Also, at age 90 it is over 30%, which shows that aging may be a reason why Alzheimer's is on the rise.

What do you think about using grid computing in this search?
If it's looking at different database of proteins it can look at little differences in the folding of proteins and differences from person to person.

Are there any new means of prevention of Alzheimer's?
There are many drugs now that delay the onset of deterioration. Also, there is treatments that block the plaques, but there are certain drugs that can't cross the membrane. Oxidation reactions is looking to be treated with forms of antioxidants.

Any other interesting stories dealing with folding of proteins or Alzheimer's?
High cholesterol drugs that lower cholesterol are being looked at as a possible side effect of slowing Alzheimer's. Prions (proteins in the body) can get mis-folded and the one that is mis-folded may have the mutation that will effect the brain.