Profile – Professor Andrey Abramov, University College London

Professor Andrey Abramov

Name:

Professor Andrey Abramov

Job Title:

Professor of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, cell biologist and biophysicist

Place of work / study:

The Francis Crick Institute at University College London

Area of research?

Mitochondria, reactive oxygen species and calcium signal in physiology and pathology of neurons and astrocytes.

Tell us a little about yourself:

I obtained my PhD in biophysics from Tashkent State University in Uzbekistan. Following that, I joined Professor Michael Duchen’s laboratory in the Department of Physiology at UCL for postdoctoral training. My research has long focused on the interaction between calcium signalling, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondria—an interest that began during my PhD and developed further during my postdoctoral studies. In 2008, after being awarded the Parkinson’s UK Senior Research Fellowship, I established my own laboratory in the Department of Molecular Neuroscience at the UCL Institute of Neurology.

One of my main research focuses is investigating the cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and ALS, with a particular emphasis on the roles of mitochondria, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and calcium in these processes. The brain’s exceptionally high energy demand, requiring more oxygen and glucose than any other tissue, makes it especially vulnerable to disruptions in energy production (mitochondrial dysfunction) or increased energy-consuming processes like calcium signalling, particularly when combined with elevated ROS levels.

I am also deeply interested in exploring the interaction between mitochondria, ROS, and calcium signalling in physiological processes. ROS production by cellular enzymes and mitochondria is regulated by multiple factors, and my research has recently identified the role of ROS in oxygen sensing, signal transduction, and lipid metabolism. Disruptions to this finely balanced system can result in oxidative damage and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.

Another key area of interest in my laboratory is uncovering the role of inorganic polyphosphate, a fascinating “fossil molecule,” in higher organisms. My research has demonstrated the involvement of polyphosphate in signal transduction and mitochondrial bioenergetics, providing insights into a potentially missing link in our understanding of several pathological conditions.

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