Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · PhysiologyMnatsakanyan Lab
Nelli Mnatsakanyan · University Park, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Nelli Mnatsakanyan's research lab focuses on understanding the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. They are particularly interested in a specific channel in mitochondria that may contribute to cell death. By using advanced imaging techniques, the lab aims to uncover the structural details of this channel and explore how blocking it could help protect neurons from damage caused by Alzheimer's. Their work could lead to new treatments for this devastating disease.
ATP synthaseAlzheimer's diseasemitochondrial dysfunctioncell deathneurodegeneration
Research Aims
5AIM 01Characterize the structure of ATP synthase leak channel using cryo-EM.
AIM 02Investigate the role of the channel in cell death pathways related to Alzheimer's disease.
AIM 03Study the functional environment of ATP synthase in neurons exposed to amyloid beta.
AIM 04Test pharmacological inhibitors to rescue neurons from amyloid beta-induced cell death.
AIM 05Develop new therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial pathways in Alzheimer's disease.
Skills the Lab Values
single-particle cryo-electron microscopycryogenic electron tomographymolecular biology techniquesprimary neuron culturescell survival assays
Output against the department
Publications86bottom 21% of dept.226th of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations1.9kbottom 11% of dept.254th of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.