Harvard Catalyst Profiles

Misfolded proteins are toxic to all cells and are major contributors to many human diseases, including most neurodegenerative diseases and some cancers. Cells have developed complex stress responses to identify and eliminate misfolded proteins. The Hanna lab studies these stress responses, with an emphasis on their basic mechanisms. PI is a practicing physician scientist and former HMS MD-PhD trainee. The student will have their own project and be mentored directly by Dr. Hanna. The time commitment is flexible and will be agreed upon in advance of starting the project.

My lab studies how cells destroy proteins, a process which is critical for many human diseases, including most neurodegenerative diseases and some cancers. We focus on the basic mechanisms of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and use a variety of biochemical, structural, genetic, and cell biologic methods. One part of the lab is focused on the detailed mechanisms of the proteasome, and we use cutting edge cryo-electron microscopy methods to gain insight. The other part of the lab is focused on the cellular stress responses that identify and eliminate misfolded proteins. Here we use powerful proteomics and lipidomics methods to inform our work. This would be an opportunity to learn or further develop basic scientific skills while being mentored by an HMS-trained practicing physician-scientist.

The accumulation of misfolded proteins contributes to many diseases, including most neurodegenerative diseases. The proteasome is the complex multisubunit machine in cells that destroys proteins. We are studying the basic mechanisms of the proteasome using a combination of structural biology (cryo-EM), biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology. This is an opportunity to contribute to the fundamental mechanisms of an important group of diseases, and to be mentored by an HMS MD-PhD alum who is also a practicing physician.