Marianna Leonzino: Organelle Dynamics in Neural Health and Disease

Our lab investigates how subcellular organelles communicate and cooperate through membrane contact sites to sustain neuronal function and survival. We are particularly interested in the molecular mechanisms that govern lipid transfer, organelle biogenesis, and quality control at these specialized membrane interfaces. Disruption of these pathways is increasingly recognized as a common denominator across diverse forms of neurodegeneration. By combining advanced imaging, lipidomics, proximity proteomics, and iPSC-derived neuronal models, we explore how disease-linked proteins — such as VAPB and VPS13 family members — orchestrate organelle dynamics, and how their dysfunction contributes to motor neuron diseases and movement disorders. Our goal is to uncover fundamental principles of subcellular organization and define how their breakdown leads to neuronal vulnerability, paving the way for the identification of novel therapeutic targets in neurological disorders.