Gene Therapy in Parkinson's Disease: Current State and Future Potential

BIO295: Biology Seminar Series

Gene Therapy in Parkinson's Disease: Current State and Future Potential

Guest Speaker: Rachel Harmon, Calvin University Student

Guest Speaker: Dr. Maggie Caulfield, Michigan State University faculty member

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease for which a widely applicable and revolutionary therapeutic development has not emerged for over 50 years. Although some progress has been made, there is a high demand for novel therapeutics in PD that would both treat the disease and reduce the side effects of currently medications. Researchers are now looking to gene therapy as a novel and revolutionary way of treating the disease. Combination therapy, those that utilize both gene therapy and current pharmaceutical approaches, are particularly promising for the alleviation of motor disfunction and debilitating side effects common with the long-term treatment of PD. This study explores the current state and limitations of gene therapy in PD and other neurodegenerative diseases as well the future therapeutic potential.

Live streamed through Microsoft Teams: this link