Protein Aggregation Mechanisms: C. elegans Model Insights

This lecture explores the molecular mechanisms of protein aggregation in vivo using C. elegans as a model organism. Topics include protein misfolding, amyloid formation pathways, aggregation kinetics, and the role of molecular chaperones. The instructor discusses the use of fluorescence lifetime imaging to track aggregate development, the liquid-like properties of intermediate inclusions, and the ubiquitin-positive nature of mature inclusions. The lecture also covers stochastic nucleation in nanodroplets, real-time observation of inclusion growth, and mathematical modeling of aggregation kinetics. Insights into aggregation modifiers, neuron-specific aggregation kinetics, and the impact of stochasticity on aggregation variation between animals are presented.