A Dietary Epigenetic Therapy for Friedreich's Ataxia

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is a rare neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of intronic trinucleotide repeat GAA from 8 to 33 repeats to >90 repeats in the FXN gene encoding frataxin protein. Frataxin is a mitochondrial protein involved in iron-sulfur cluster synthesis and overall iron metabolism. FRDA patients have FXN mutations in both alleles, causing significant loss of frataxin protein and cellular defects such as mitochondrial dysfunction, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cellular oxidative stress. In the project, we aim to test potential dietary therapy for FA via epigenetic regulations. We will use a combination of cell culture and mouse models to test our hypothesis. We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated students to join.