Development of small molecule modulators of autophagy and ER stress as novel therapeutics for AD

The goal of this project is to isolate inhibitors of apoptosis that can activate autophagy. Apoptosis has been implicated in a wide array of human inflammatory and degenerative diseases. However, after more than 30 years of research, the field failed to deliver a target that can be pharmacologically manipulated to inhibit apoptosis, as direct inhibition of caspases leads to necroptosis. Activating autophagy will support cell survival under stress condition.