“Mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease Development”

Dr. Wen-Cheng Xiong’s research focuses on neural development and degenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and osteoporosis, as well as their interconnections. Her lab has published over 200 research articles, accumulating more than 20,000 citations and an H-index of 82. Notable contributions include elucidating the molecular mechanisms of netrin1-DCC signaling pathways involved in axon pathfinding, investigating the distinct roles of the netrin receptor neogenin in the brain (astrocytes) and peripheral organs (bone and liver), and identifying the functions of VPS35 in regulating the trafficking of transmembrane proteins that promote neural development and prevent neurodegeneration.

Additionally, her team has explored the relationship between osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases, uncovering a novel bone-to-brain axis in AD development and offering new insights into potential therapeutic targets and strategies. In this seminar, she will discuss two key projects from her lab: 1) VPS35’s role in AD development, and 2) the Swedish mutant APP in bone formation cells and its impact on AD development.