At-a-Glance...
The Tammineni Lab investigates how neurons maintain health through organelle trafficking, quality control, and cellular heterogeneity, with a focus on endolysosomes and mitochondria. Using human iPSC-derived neurons, primary neuronal cultures, and transgenic mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, we uncover fundamental mechanisms underlying neuronal function and dysfunction.
Organelles on The Move: Membrane Trafficking in Neurons Neurons are remarkable cells with complex architectures, requiring precise coordination of organelle trafficking to maintain function across their soma, dendrites, and long axons. The Tammineni Lab explores how mitochondria and endolysosomes are transported and positioned, focusing on the regulation and coordination by motor–adaptor complexes. Using primary neurons, iPSC-derived neurons, and transgenic mouse models, we investigate how these trafficking pathways are disrupted in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. By uncovering the fundamental principles of organelle dynamics, our goal is to advance understanding of neuronal health and develop insights that could inform strategies to combat neurodegenerative disorders
Fixing the Damaged Organelles: Organelle Quality Control in Neurons Neurons are long-lived and highly specialized, making efficient removal of damaged organelles essential for their survival. The Tammineni Lab focuses on selective autophagy pathways, particularly the clearance of mitochondria and lysosomes, and how these processes are uniquely regulated in different neuronal subtypes. We investigate how cell type–specific quality control mechanisms maintain neuronal health and how their failure contributes to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. By uncovering these pathways, our goal is to develop therapeutic strategies that harness selective autophagy to protect neurons and slow disease progression.
Organelle Diversity: Keys to Neuronal Function and Survival: Neurons are highly polarized, long-lived cells that rely on the precise distribution and specialization of organelles to meet local functional demands. In the Tammineni Lab, we study how heterogeneity among mitochondria and endolysosomes, differences in size, composition, metabolic activity, and positioning contributes to neuronal health. We investigate how neurons generate and maintain these specialized organelle populations, how they are dynamically adapted to distinct cellular compartments, and how disruptions in organelle heterogeneity contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. By understanding the diversity and specialization of organelles, we aim to reveal fundamental principles of neuronal function and identify new targets to combat disease.
