THE FERREIRA LABORATORY

Welcome to the Paulo Ferreira laboratory at Duke University Medical Center, Duke University. Our research focus is twofold. First, we seek to understand the integration of signaling and intracellular trafficking pathways and protein homoeostasis (proteostasis) in health and disease. Second, we aim to harness such information to uncover targets and mechanisms amenable to therapeutic intervention, such as neuroprotection in a variety of diseases. The long-term efforts of our laboratory are centered on understanding the interplay between genes, proteins, metabolites, and impairments of any of these by aging or disease in the function and survival of neurons and supporting cells.

    Currently, we are investigating, using genetic, molecular, and cellular approaches, how impairments in signaling and intracellular trafficking pathways promote neurodegeneration,

with a focus on systemic and non-syndromic retinal dystrophies that ultimately lead to vision impairment or loss. These include Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), renal-retinal syndromes, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, motor neuron (ALS), and Parkinson's disease. We are also exploring the roles of environmental stresses (e.g., oxidative stress) in the onset, progression, and expression of neurodegeneration. Our studies are uncovering novel players and biological processes, as well as therapeutic approaches, in signaling and intracellular trafficking pathways and proteostasis that are pivotal for the function and survival of various neurons.

       Thank you for visiting our website and learning about our research. For additional questions, feel free to contact Dr. Paulo A. Ferreira by email: paulo.ferreira@duke.edu

Duke University Medical Center, 2351 Erwin Road, DUEC 3802, Durham, NC 27710, USA