Enhanced Alzheimer's protection: A multidisciplinary approach elucidating optimum melatonin levels required to reduce lipid membrane damage by amyloids at a physico-chemical level utilising Bristol's world-leading holistic microscopy

Project Summary:

Dr. Leonenko research is focused on biophysics of neurodegeneration, molecular and quantum neuroscience. In collaboration with Dr. Robert Harniman Dr. Leonenko will explore Bristol’s newest world-leading Atomic Force Microscopy Technology Platform (AFM-TP), in particular utilising the combination of AFM and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) to advance research in biophysics of neurodegeneration.  

Dr. Leonenko’s lab studies molecular mechanism of amyloid toxicity in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and possibilities to protect neuronal membranes with small membrane–active molecules, such as melatonin. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the damage and loss of neurons, in large part caused by amyloid-beta (Aβ) oligomers. Aβ toxicity has been the subject of active research over decades. Despite tremendous effort, the mechanisms that trigger the onset of AD remain not well understood, with currently no cure being available. Leonenko’s lab previously demonstrated (Drolle, PLOS ONE, 2017) that the changes in lipid membrane composition may trigger amyloid binding and toxicity in neuronal model membranes. This opens the possibility to restore membrane resistance to amyloid by protecting the membranes with small membrane-active molecules like melatonin and other molecules (Mei, 2023, Xu, 2024).  

In collaboration with Dr. Harniman we will use AFM and TERS to resolve the presence of melatonin in lipid nanodomains in correlation of amyloid peptide binding to the membranes. This project is important to understand protection of membrane by small membrane-active molecules including melatonin and will help to develop new preventive strategies to overcome AD.  

During Bristol visit Dr. Leonenko will be involved in discussion with other researchers from Physics department, including Dr. A. Sneddon and Dr. M. Miles and with Prof Kehoe, Director of the EBI and Professor of translational dementia research and researchers from The Institute of Clinical Neurosciences. In combination with collaborators from the MRC Prion Unit at UCL and groups in France and Prague, Dr Harniman and Dr Leonenko aim to develop an international consortium to address the physio-chemical principles of amyloid-membrane interaction to enhance Alzheimer’s prevention through a multi-disciplinary approach. 

During her visit Dr. Leonenko will give research seminars on following topics: Molecular mechanism of amyloid toxicity in Alzheimer’s disease towards prevention and cure, and Effects of Li isotopes in neuronal function and quantum neuroscience.  

Visitor Biography:

Dr. Zoya Leonenko received PhD in Chemical Physics from Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk in 1996. She is a Full Professor at University of Waterloo Canada and holds a joint position in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Department of Biology and is a member of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN). Dr. Leonenko joined the University of Waterloo in 2007. Prior to this, she worked at the University of Maryland at Baltimore and the University of Calgary as an Assistant Professor. She was also a recipient of an Invited Professorship Award from the University of Burgundy, Dijon, France in 2012 and NSERC University Faculty Award in 2008-2012 and currently holds University Research Chair Award at University of Waterloo, 2020-2027. Dr. Leonenko made a significant contribution in promoting Biophysics in Canada through organizing the first annual meeting of the Biophysical Society of Canada (BSC) in 2015 and serving as its President from 2019 to 2021. In 2015, Dr. Leonenko organized 1st Bilateral University of Bristol - University of Waterloo Workshop in Nanotechnology and as a result a bilateral relationship was established between University of Waterloo and Bristol University in 2016.