Agnes Nishimura

Dr. Agnes Nishimura serves as a Lecturer in Neuroscience at the Blizard Institute within Queen Mary University of London's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Her research focuses on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis through innovative induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) modeling and genetic analysis.

Her academic training includes:

• BSc in Biological Sciences from University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
• PhD in Human Genetics from University of Sao Paulo under Prof. Mayana Zatz

Her research program investigates neurodegenerative mechanisms through multiple interconnected approaches:

• Genetic dissection of ALS using patient-derived iPSCs
• Disease modeling via 2D cultures and organoids
• Analysis of mRNA dysregulation and vesicular transport defects
• Protein misfolding and clearance pathways
• Synaptic dysfunction ("snaptopathy") in motor neurons
• High-throughput drug screening platforms

Recent publications demonstrate her leadership in creating open-access ALS iPSC biobanks and elucidating synaptic pathologies in FUS-related ALS. Her work bridges fundamental molecular mechanisms with translational applications for therapeutic development.

Dr. Nishimura directs a specialized laboratory focused on ALS modeling using patient-derived cellular systems. Her team employs cutting-edge stem cell technologies to investigate disease mechanisms across multiple dimensions including stress responses, inflammatory pathways, and neuronal connectivity defects.