Andreas Prokop

Andreas Prokop is a Professor of Cellular & Developmental Neurobiology at the University of Manchester, with a research career spanning over 25 years. His work focuses on the cytoskeletal mechanisms underlying axon maintenance and neurodegeneration, using Drosophila as a primary model organism.

Research Interests:

• Decoding how microtubule bundles maintain axonal architecture under mechanical stress
• Understanding axonopathies through the lens of the "dependency cycle of axon homeostasis" model
• Exploring genetic networks regulating cytoskeletal dynamics in neurons
• Investigating mitochondrial dysfunction as a trigger for neurodegeneration

Scientific Contributions:

• Generated functional data for >50 evolutionarily conserved microtubule- and actin-binding proteins
• Developed the "dependency cycle" model for axonal self-maintenance
• Pioneered Drosophila primary neuron culture systems for neurodegeneration studies

Awards & Fellowships:

• Heisenberg-fellowship (2000)
• Human Capital and Mobility fellowship (EU)
• Lloyd's Tercentenary Foundation fellowship (1993-1997)
• Multiple BBSRC grants (BB/I002448/1, BB/P020151/1, etc.)