Carmen Nussbaum

Prof. Carmen Nussbaum serves as a Professor and Research Group Leader within the Department of Neuroanatomy at the Institute for Anatomy II, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich (LMU). Her research program centers on unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, using the nematode C. elegans and mammalian cell culture models. Her lab investigates the intercellular propagation of pathological proteins such as alpha-synuclein and Tau, with a focus on how aging impacts cellular protein homeostasis and neurodegeneration.

Dr. Nussbaum's research interests span neurodegenerative diseases, proteostasis, aging biology, and prion-like spreading mechanisms. Her laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach combining confocal microscopy, CRISPR-based genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, and systems-level analysis (including cell-type specific ribosome profiling). Key discoveries include the demonstration that alpha-synuclein spreading triggers endo-lysosomal rupture in recipient cells and that chaperone-mediated disaggregation of amyloid aggregates produces toxic protein species implicated in disease progression. This work provides critical insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

Analysis of her recent publications (2019-2022) reveals a consistent focus on protein aggregation dynamics in neurodegenerative contexts, with particular emphasis on alpha-synuclein and Tau pathology. Her studies integrate C. elegans genetics with mammalian cell models to dissect molecular pathways involving chaperone systems, lysosomal integrity, and insulin/IGF1 signaling. A unifying theme is the dual role of protein quality control machinery—while essential for aggregate clearance, it can inadvertently generate seeding-competent toxic species that drive disease progression. These findings highlight complex pathomechanisms and identify novel nodes for therapeutic intervention.

Scientific Awards: The provided text does not mention any scientific awards, fellowships, or medals.

Advising and Grants: Although specific student names and grant details are not enumerated in the text, the lab's active publication record in high-impact journals indicates successful external funding. The research group likely supervises graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, as is standard for a research-intensive laboratory. The text references additional funding information available on the lab website, suggesting multiple ongoing projects supported by competitive grants.

Labs and Teams: The Nussbaum laboratory operates within the Anatomical Institute at LMU Munich, leveraging the transparency and genetic tractability of C. elegans for live imaging of protein aggregation and spreading in intact organisms. The team utilizes advanced techniques including confocal microscopy, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, and cell-type specific ribosome profiling. Collaborative efforts are evident through co-authorships with experts in protein disaggregation (e.g., Bukau, Mogk) and neurodegeneration research. The lab environment appears dynamic, with a mascot featured on their website indicating a cohesive team culture focused on mechanistic neuroscience.