The research in the Mandon laboratory is devoted to understanding the role of mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum in neurodegeneration and aging. These organelles are early targets during the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease, and their damages contribute significantly to disease progression. Mitochondrial damage and dysfunction are also heavily involved in the aging process. Research in the Mandon laboratory focuses on two fundamental areas. First, the determination of the early events that trigger mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum damages and second, the elucidation of the mechanisms that underlie organelle dysfunction in the pathogenesis of human neurodegenerative diseases and in the aging process.

This work is funded through a collaborative grant with Dr. Oliver Rando.