Grant: Canada Research Chairs

Neuroinflammatory diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are among the most serious health problems facing society today. They affect upwards of 700,000 Canadians costing the economy $11.6B annually. This is projected to double by 2030. To-date there remain no effective treatments or cures for these diseases. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are hallmarks of AD and PD, as is the disintegration of the microtubule cytoskeleton, the protein scaffold required to maintain brain cell architecture. As such, the overall objective of Dr. Craddock’s proposed research program is to understand the underlying biophysical processes by which neuroinflammation affects the neuronal microtubule cytoskeleton to improve healthcare for AD, PD and other neuroinflammatory illnesses. To achieve this goal three objectives will be pursued in parallel over the course of this Canada Research Chair (CRC) program. First, using biophysical modeling methods, coupled with state-of-the-art spectroscopies, key optical processes that characterize the health of the neuronal cytoskeleton will be identified which will for the first time quantify unique light-matter interactions with the cytoskeleton and indicate novel points of intervention to diagnose, maintain or restore neuron health. Second, a metal-ion based biological radical-pair mechanism influencing microtubule growth will be tested, providing the first description of magnetic field and isotope effects on cytoskeletal dynamics, and allowing for the development of magnetic and ion-based therapies aimed at maintaining cytoskeletal health in the presence of metal imbalance caused by neuroinflammation. Third, the impact of exogenous chemicals on cytoskeleton processes related to memory will be investigated via computational methods and tested in vitro and in vivo to identify novel intervention and prophylactic strategies designed to promote cytoskeletal health by blocking or halting the damage caused by neurotoxic chemicals. Overall, this leading-edge CRC research program will combine Dr. Craddock’s expertise in the emerging field of quantum biological modeling of sub-neural structures with his experience in the clinically focused modeling of neuroinflammatory illnesses to advance knowledge and enable the design of first-of-their-kind treatment strategies aimed at mitigating cytoskeletal damage caused by neuroinflammation to improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.