Yuna Ayala

Yuna Ayala, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Saint Louis University. Her research focuses on RNA processing and the functional role of TDP-43 in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

• Research Areas: RNA binding proteins, neurodegeneration, TDP-43 dysfunction, proteotoxic stress response.

Publications highlight TDP-43's phosphorylation mechanisms (via MAPK/ERK pathway), self-assembly into ribonucleoprotein granules, and aggregation dynamics in disease progression. ALS-linked mutations like A315T and M337V are shown to accelerate aggregation.

• Key Techniques: Semi-denaturing SDS agarose gel electrophoresis (SDS-AGE), immunoblotting, cellular aggregation reporter assays.

Laboratory Affiliation: The Ayala Lab collaborates with the Hope Center and HPAN (Hope Center for Neurological Disorders) to study TDP-43's role in neurodegenerative pathologies.