Exploring Protein Aggregation with Single-Molecule and Super-Resolution Microscopy

Join us on 24 October for Professor Matthew Horrocks' talk on Exploring Protein Aggregation with Single-Molecule and Super-Resolution Microscopy

Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are often characterised by the misfolding and aggregation of proteins. Recent research suggests that, rather than the larger, insoluble deposits, it is the smaller, soluble oligomers that are the primary toxic species. However, due to their high heterogeneity and low abundance, these oligomers present significant challenges for characterisation using conventional biochemical techniques.
 
To address this, we have developed a suite of single-molecule and super-resolution imaging methods that enable us to visualise individual oligomers at the nanometre scale. These approaches allow us to analyse the number and structure of oligomers across various samples, including human biofluids. Through these techniques, we are gaining valuable insights into the roles these oligomers play in disease progression, potentially paving the way for new therapeutic strategies.
 
In this seminar, I will introduce single-molecule and super-resolution microscopy, detailing how we are applying these approaches to image protein aggregates in biofluids. I will then present our work on extending super-resolution microscopy to the study of proteins in live cells.

Profile

Mathew was born and brought up in Halifax, West Yorkshire, before studying Chemistry at Oriel College, University of Oxford. He did his Master's project with Professor Mark Wallace, where he was first introduced to single-molecule techniques. Following this, he moved to the University of Cambridge to work with Professor David Klenerman, developing microscopy techniques to study the protein aggregates formed in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Following a brief stint researching in New South Wales, Australia, Mathew returned to Cambridge in 2016 to take up a Junior Research Fellowship at Christ’s College, and a Herchel Smith Fellowship at the University of Cambridge. He moved to the University of Edinburgh to head the ESMB Group in January 2018. He became Senior Lecturer in 2022, and was promoted to Professor in 2024.

Event details 

The seminar will take place on Friday 24 October from 11:00 to 12:00 in Lecture Theatre 2.37, Sir Henry William Bragg Building.