[Project supported by FrenchBIC] Nucleolipids against Alzheimer’s disease
Mathilde BRACHET à Strasbourg du 15 au 26 Mai 2023.
One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease is the formation of amyloid plaques found in the brains of patients. These plaques consist of aggregates of amyloid-β peptides and metal ions. These interactions produce reactive oxygen species that are toxic to neurons, as well as a disruption in metal ion homeostatis (lower concentrations inside neurons and higher concentrations outside them). Nucleolipids, hybrids between DNA and phospholipids, exhibit properties that are promising for combating these harmful phenomena. Indeed, they are biocompatible, can sequester metal ions, and can cross cell membranes.During my master’s internship, I observed that certain Nucleolipids have the ability to halt the associated production of ROS. In fact, the supramolecular assembly of certain Nucleolipids enables the chelation of Cu(I), thereby preventing this process. Thanks to a grant from FrenchBIC, I was able to complete a two-week research stay at the Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (INCI) in Strasbourg. During this time, I was able to evaluate the toxicity of these NLs on neuronal models developed by Dr. Nicolas VITALE’s team. In addition, we also observed their ability to transport copper from the extracellular environment into the neurons.I would like to sincerely thank FrenchBIC for this mobility grant, which allowed me to expand my knowledge of cell biology and acquire skills in confocal microscopy, cell culture, and biochemistry.
publication: “Cuprous Ions Binding to Cytosine and Guanine Oligonucleotides”, Joana Pereira, Mathilde Brachet, Philippe Barthélémy, Bruno Alies, ChemBioChem Volume 27, Issue 15, 14 August 2026, e70499, doi : 10.1002/cbic.70499