Phenotyping environmental exposure to long-lasting chemicals, nanoplastics and pesticides in iPSC dopaminergic neurons and glia

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.

This research has the potential to provide critical insights into potential preventative measures and treatment options for Parkinson’s disease. By understanding the environmental factors that contribute to the disease, we can work towards developing strategies to mitigate their impact