My research aims to understand the mechanisms that regulate brain homeostasis and their role in neurodegeneration. I combine quantitative imaging, molecular neuroscience and computational modelling to investigate the glymphatic system and the regulation of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4). Building on nearly two decades of experience in PET methodology, my current work integrates experimental neuroscience, genetics and computational approaches to identify the principles governing brain clearance.
How is AQP4 polarization regulated? We use methods of molecular biology to study how AQP4 polarization and AQP4 isoforms vary across brain regions, throughout the circadian cycle and in different sleep conditions.
Can naturally occurring genetic variation reveal molecular regulators of glymphatic function? We use explainable AI on large population-based datasets to study the impact of variations of genes associated with glymphatic clearance on measures of neurodegeneration like amyloid PET.
How can accuracy and reliability of PET measurements be improved? For nearly two decades, my research focused on the quantitative methodology of positron emission tomography (PET). The overarching goal was to improve the accuracy and reliability of PET measurements by evaluating methods for image reconstruction, attenuation correction, phantom design and quantitative image analysis. This work combined expertise in medical physics, image processing and scanner technology and laid the methodological foundation for many subsequent neuroimaging studies.