Selina Cannon Homaei

The main focus of my PhD is Glutamate Decarboxylase Like 1 (GADL1) and the consequences of reduced or non-existent enzyme function. Our findings show that GADL1 participates in the decarboxylation of aspartate to β-alanine; thus, influencing the levels of the dipeptide carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) in our GADL1 mouse model. Many are familiar with β-alanine and carnosine as sports supplements, as carnosine can delay lactic acid production during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) due to its pH-buffering capabilities. Although the functional output of these supplements is debated, other studies also show that carnosine can function as an antioxidant and neuromodulator, possibly affecting the development of e.g. neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

I primarily work on the GADL1 mouse model using techniques such as behaviour analysis, western blotting, metabolomics (LC-MS, HPLC, ¹H-NMR) and transcriptomics (RNA sequencing), and R-analysis.

Previously, I was involved in a project on ADHD and neurometabolic disorders.