Parkinson’s Research Project Title: Phenotyping environmental exposure to long-lasting chemicals, nanoplastics and pesticides in iPSC dopaminergic neurons and glia
Principal Investigators: Professor Lezanne Ooi
Institutions: University of Wollongong
Study Rationale:
Professor Lezanne Ooi and her team are undertaking groundbreaking research into the effects of environmental toxins on brain cells. This study will focus on pesticides, long-lived chemicals, nanoplastics, and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)—compounds increasingly implicated as risk factors in Parkinson’s disease.
The direct effects of these environmental exposures on the brain cells of Parkinson’s patients have not been fully understood. This research aims to bridge that gap, offering new insights into how these toxins impact neurons and glial cells and contribute to disease risk.
Using advanced techniques like mass spectrometry, the team will analyse hundreds of molecules from single cells. This will allow them to detect changes in brain cells caused by exposure to these chemicals, identifying metabolic signatures linked to Parkinson’s disease.
By uncovering common biomarkers of exposure, the study will be used to inform regulatory guidelines to reduce environmental risks and support efforts to protect against Parkinson’s disease.