Congratulations to Prosenjit Pal, Senior Postdoctoral Researcher at the MRC PPU, on being awarded a Tenovus Small Project Grant of £20,000. This funding will support his groundbreaking research into how Parkinson’s-related mutations in the LRRK2 pathway affect lysosomal biology.

In his previous work, Prosenjit identified a critical pathway where lysosome dysfunction, caused by lysosomal stress from the Parkinson’s VPS35[D620N] mutation, leads to the recruitment and activation of LRRK2 on lysosomal surfaces. This activation promotes the assembly of a pRab: RILPL1 complex with the lysosomal transmembrane protein TMEM55B.

Prosenjit’s current research suggests that TMEM55B may act as an E3 ligase or regulator of E3 ligases, playing a key role in ubiquitylation processes. With this Tenovus funding, Prosenjit aims to deepen his understanding of how TMEM55B regulates substrate ubiquitylation and its potential interplay with the LRRK2 pathway.

This grant provides Prosenjit with a crucial opportunity to generate foundational data, laying the groundwork for further research and enabling him to pursue his long-term goal of establishing an independent laboratory.

Prosenjit expressed his enthusiasm, stating “I am deeply honoured to receive this grant, which brings me closer to achieving my dream of becoming an independent researcher. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my postdoctoral supervisor, Prof. Dario Alessi, for his encouragement and invaluable support in making this opportunity possible. Brain diseases are incredibly complex, and uncovering effective cures remains a significant challenge. Advancing basic research is essential to better understand the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. Through my study, I hope to unravel an unknown mystery within these pathways, potentially paving the way for the development of biomarkers or therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s in the future.”

We wish Prosenjit every success in this exciting next phase of his research journey!