We investigate mechanisms of neurodegeneration and conduct studies towards the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
We have been focusing our research primarily on the fatal polyglutamine disorder Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), also known as Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3).
Our lab is currently interested in:
- investigating mechanisms that regulate the abundance of the mutant ATXN3 gene and proteins in MJD/SCA3.
- developing therapeutic approaches for MJD/SCA3.
- understanding the function of native and mutant ATXN3 proteins.
Costa Lab 