Our Mission
The Munter lab is interested in novel molecular mechanisms that could be utilized to prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease. We are focusing on cellular pathways involving Regulated Intra-membrane Proteolysis (RIP). RIP pathways involve fascinating proteases which cleave substrates within the plane of cellular membranes.
Our research focuses on three main aspects:
1) We found that rhomboid protease RHBDL4 cleaves the amyloid precursor protein (APP) - but why?
2) The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) delays the onset of ApoE4-mediated Alzheimer’s disease - but how?
3) If RHBDL4 cleaves APP, what may all the other interesting rhomboid proteases do in the brain?
“Excessive reservations and paralyzing despondency have not helped the sciences to advance nor are they helping them to advance, but a healthy optimism that cheerfully searches for new ways to understand, as it is convinced that it will be possible to find them.”