We are delighted to welcome our 15 PhD students to the LipAgg European Doctoral Network as they begin bringing the LipAgg project to life.
The LipAgg project aims to elucidate the structural and functional roles of amyloid protein–lipid aggregates in pathological processes such as aggregation, cellular toxicity, and intercellular spread.
It focuses on key amyloidogenic proteins : amylin (IAPP), amyloid beta (Aβ), and α-synuclein (αS). The project investigates the lipid-chaperone hypothesis, which highlights the role of free lipids in promoting membrane damage through stable protein–lipid complexes. LipAgg will address critical molecular mechanisms underlying amyloid toxicity, including oligomer toxicity, membrane interactions, and aggregate propagation.
Combining advanced biophysical, structural, chemical and cellular approaches, the project ultimately seeks to identify strategies to prevent amyloid-related damage and improve therapeutic perspectives.
LipAgg Doctoral Network projects
- Living abroad
- 2 academic partners
- 1 non-academic partner
- Training workshops around Europe
- Interdisciplinary Network
LipAgg fellows
DC1 - Lucie Granjeon

Project : Characterization of Aβ-lipid complexes.
Favorite molecule: H2O
Favorite destination: Teshima, Japan
Favorites food: Gnocchi with gorgonzola
Favorite book: Not Without My Daughter (Betty Mahmoody)
Favorite TV series: Quantico (director Joshua Safran)
Favorite artist: Karol G
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DC2 - Yishan Li

Project : Structural characterisation of αS-lipid complexes.
Favorite molecule: Dopamine
Favorite means of transport: Plane
Favorites food: Rice noodles
Favorite music or song: Pop music
Favorite movie or TV series: Spider-Verse trilogy
Favorite book or author: The Three-Body Problem (Liu Cixin)
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DC3 - Louis Moine

Project : Biophysical characterization of IAPP–lipid Complexes in Type 2 Diabetes.
Favorite piece of equipment: Rotary evaporator
Favorite scientist: Antoine Lavoisier
Favorite destination: Pyrenees
Favorite means of transport: Walking
Favorite book: The Plague (Albert Camus)
Favorite artist: Vincent van Gogh
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DC4 - Giuseppe Mazzara

Project : In Silico characterization of IAPP-lipid and αS-lipid complexes and design and synthesis of inhibitors.
Favorite molecule: Caffeine
Favorite means of transport: Diffusion car / Chemical potential gradient
Favorite food: Pizza and ravioli
Favorite music style: Hip-Hop
Favorite book: Andrea Camilleri
Favorite movie Interstellar (director Christopher Nolan)
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DC5 - Mariana Sousa Mestre

Project : Structural characterization of lipid-associated IAPP and Aβ Fibrils in Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Favorite molecule: Haemoglobin
Favorite lab facility: Electron Microscope
Favorite scientist: António Damasio
Favorite destination: Ilha do Farol, Portugal
Favorite food: Anything from the sea
Favorite music style: Pink Floyd, punk and alternative Rock
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DC6 - Rahul Kumar

Project : NMR structure of AP-L complex of hIAPP and its effect on fibrils and membranes.
Favorite molecule: TDP-43
Favorite lab facility: Optical Tweezer
Favorite scientist: Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam
Favorite destination: Switzerland
Favorite food: Chole Bhature
Favorite movie: Life of Pi (director Ang Lee)
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DC7 - Stefanie Franziska Gröschl

Project : Effect of Amyloid Protein-Lipid (AP-L) complexes on astrocyte-neuronal interplay and cell-to-cell propagation.
Favorite molecule: GFAP
Favorite destination: Iceland
Favorite band or song: German indie-pop song
Favorite book : The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat (Oliver Sacks)
Favorite serie: The Office (director Greg Daniels)
Favorite artist: Frida Kahlo
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DC8 - Mentis Nikolaos

Project : Design and synthesis of inhibitors of α-Synuclein aggregation and α-Synuclein-lipid interaction.
Favorite molecule: Paclitaxel
Favorite lab facility: Dean-Stark apparatus
Favorite scientist: Elias James Corey
Favorite destination: Kythira, Greece
Favorite food: Gyros
Favorite serie: Big Bang Theory
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DC9 : Lars Noel Sämi Balmer

Project : Investigating the cellular toxicity of αS, Aβ and IAPP lipid complexes in pancreatic cells and iPSC-derived neurons through multiparametric metabolic and cell death assays.
Favorite molecule: Neprilysin
Favorite lab facility: Microscope
Favorite scientist: David Attenborough
Favorite destination: The Alps
Favorite food: Penne alle cinque Pi
Favorite movie: The neverEnding story (director Wolfgang Petersen)
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DC10 - Tess Maurel

Project : Isolating αS-L complexes from neuronal models to determine their lipid composition via mass spectronomy and evaluate their seeding capacity and membrane damages.
Favorite molecule: Tau
Favorite lab facility: Protein purification
Favorite destination: Japan
Favorite food: Bœuf Bourgignon
Favorite music band or song: Thunder (Seventeen)
Favorite book: If I Stay (Gayle Forman)
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DC11 - Alessia Biagini

Project : Design and synthesis of inhibitors of Aβ and IAPP aggregation and Aβ-lipid and IAPP-lipid complexes.
Favorite molecule: PHOX15
Favorite destination: Rome, Italy
Favorite means of transport: Car
Favorite food: Tortellini
Favorite music style: Pop
Favorite movie or series: Pulp fiction (Quentin Tarantino)
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DC12 - Konstantinos Sideris

Project : Investigating the seeding capacity of ex-cellulo isolated and in vitro prepared amyloid-lipid complexes to trigger αS, Aβ and IAPP aggregation in their relevant cells using confocal microscopy.
Favorite molecule: α-synuclein
Favorite lab facility: Fluorescence microscope
Favorite scientist: Rosalind Franklin
Favorite means of transport: Plane
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite book:The Harry Potter series
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DC13 - Zhang Feiyang

Project : Structure and dynamics of Aβ-lipid and IAPP-lipid complexes with membrane.
Favorite molecule: Benzene molecule
Favorite lab facility: Pipette
Favorite scientist: Max Planck
Favorite means of transport: Performance car (BMW M)
Favorite book: The Power of Art (Simon Schama)
Favorite movie or series:The Godfather trilogy (director Francis Ford Coppola)
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DC14 - Kourosh Sharif

Project : Insertion of amyloid protein-lipid complexes into lipid membranes and subsequent membrane effects.
Favorite scientist: Ludwig Boltzmann
Favorite destination: Mars
Favorite means of transport: Plane
Favorite music style: Instrumental music
Favorite book: Harry Potter
Favorite artist: Hans Zimmer
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DC15 - Spencer Gardiner

Project : Lipid-Driven α-Synuclein Aggregation: Cryo-EM Structure Determination and Structure-Based Inhibitor Design.
Favorite destination: Home
Favorite means of transport: A warm car on a stormy day
Favorite food: Lamb chops with mint pesto
Favorite music band: Little Giant (Roo Panes)
Favorite book writer: Ilona Andrews
Favorite movie or series: Project Hail Mary (director Phil Lord and Christopher Miller)
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DC1: Lucie Granjeon
I began my studies at Sorbonne Université (Paris, France) with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. During these three years, I performed an internship on the formation of coacervates at ITQB NOVA (Lisbon, Portugal).
I continued with a master’s degree in materials chemistry at Sorbonne Université, during which I did two internships. One at Okayama University (Okayama, Japan) on conductive fibers and another at INRAE (Rennes, France) on physical chemical properties of plant proteins.
Besides that, I gave private lessons in mathematics, physics and chemistry to junior and high school students.
DC1 project
This project aims at establishing a reproducible protocol to generate Aβ-lipid complexes made from recombinant Aβ and near physiological vesicle preparations. The kinetics of the complex formation will be determined using SPR and RRS.
Molecular simulations will be applied to determine the affinity (∆G) between Aβ and the different lipids, and to determine the effects on the structure and dynamics of Aβ (FZJ), which will involve collaborations with DC4 who will perform the same kind of simulations for IAPP and αS.
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor: Carmelo La Rosa – Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
Co-supervisor: Birgit Strodel – Professor, Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany

DC2: Yishan Li
I recently completed my MRes in Pharmacology at the UCL School of Pharmacy, where I worked on developing spin-labelling protocols for calreticulin using NMR spectroscopy. This experience strengthened my interest in structural biology and in using advanced spectroscopic techniques to understand biomolecular structure and dynamics.
I am now starting my PhD in solid-state NMR, continuing my research in structural biology. I am particularly interested in developing new experimental approaches and applying NMR to study complex biological systems at the molecular level.
DC2 project
This project aims at establishing a reproducible protocol to generate αS-lipid complexes made from recombinant αS and near physiological vesicle preparations, the characterisation of their stability using DSC and ITC and their structure at the near atomic resolution using solid state NMR.
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor : Christian Griesinger – Director, Department of NMR-Based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
Co-supervisor : Céline Galvagnion – Associate Professor of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

DC3: Louis Moine
I am a graduate student with two Master’s degrees: one in Organic Chemistry, Life Sciences and Nanochemistry, and the second in Biochemistry, both from the University of Bordeaux (France).
During those Masters, I conducted research on amyloid aggregation, characterizing the early stages of aggregation of hIAPP and PSMα3 using a new fluorescent probe and comparing its performance with ThT. I then investigated G protein-coupled receptor heteromers, focusing on the CB1R and D2R pair using conformation-sensitive biosensors and G protein recruitment assays.
Outside of research I enjoy spending time with friends, hiking, and exploring good food.
DC3 project
This project focus on the characterization of the islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP)/lipid complexes formed with lipid mixtures of varying composition, ranging from phospholipids to free fatty acids. The candidate will isolate β-cells from pancreatic islets and determine their lipid composition using lipidomics (in collaboration with a mass spectrometry centre). IAPP fibril formation and structure will be investigated using biophysical techniques, mainly fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and microscopy.
Finally, the candidate will study the insertion of IAPP–lipid complexes into lipid membranes using Resonance Raman Spectroscopy, as well as perform kinetic and thermodynamic measurements. This will be done in the presence and absence of peptidomimetic inhibitors made by DC11.
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor : Carmelo La Rosa – Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
Co-supervisor : Lucie Khemtemourain – Research Director, Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Membranes and Nano-objects, Spectroscopy and Imaging of Membrane-Active Peptides Team, CNRS / Bordeaux INP / University of Bordeaux, France
DC4: Giuseppe Mazzara
I am Giuseppe Mazzara, a Chemical Sciences graduate from the University of Catania. While my specialization was in Materials Chemistry and Nanotechnology, my research experience drew me to the physical chemistry of biological systems.
This led me to develop a deep interest in biophysical data analysis and computational modeling and so, in my previous work, I focused on phospholipid thermodynamics and protein unfolding using Molecular Dynamics simulations. I am now very excited to join this PhD project, keep learning, and work together with the team to achieve our research goals.
DC4 project
This project leverages advanced molecular simulations to quantify the binding affinity of the amyloidogenic proteins IAPP and α-Synuclein (αS) to diverse lipid environments. Our goal is to elucidate how lipid interactions dictate the structural transformation and aggregation dynamics of these proteins—processes central to Type 2 Diabetes and Parkinson’s Disease. Building on these insights, we will utilize a computer-aided drug design (CADD) toolbox to develop peptidomimetic inhibitors targeting key IAPP/αS-lipid binding hotspots.
As part of a highly collaborative effort within the LipAgg network, the successful candidate (DC4) will contribute to both the rational design and the targeted chemical synthesis of these novel ligands, preparing them for experimental validation across our consortium.
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor : Birgit Strodel – Professor, Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany
Co-supervisor: Sandrine Ongeri – Professor of Therapeutic Chemistry, FluoPEPIT/BioCIS Team, Université Paris-Saclay / CNRS, France

DC5: Mariana Sousa Mestre
I am a PhD candidate with a background in Biochemistry from the University of Lisbon and a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. My scientific path has led me from biochemical studies of protein structure and function to structural biology, with a particular interest in electron microscopy.
During my master’s studies, I investigated the function and peptide interactions of a mitochondrial protease and studied how post-translational modifications influence α-synuclein oligomerization and fibrillation kinetics under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Björn Burmann. These international research experiences strengthened my interest in protein structure, cellular mechanisms, and neurodegenerative disease.
DC5 project
The goal of this project is to determine the structures of both islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and amyloid-β (Aβ) using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Amyloid fibrils will first be characterized alone and then in the presence of specific free lipids and model membranes. Both conventional lipids (such as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine) and less conventional lipids will be selected in collaboration with DC1 and DC3.
Smaller aggregate species will also be investigated using electron microscopy, although at lower resolution due to their size and structural heterogeneity. All cryo-EM structural data will be correlated with toxicity assays performed by DC7.
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor: Lucie Khemtemourain – Research Director, Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Membranes and Nano-objects, Spectroscopy and Imaging of Membrane-Active Peptides Team, CNRS / Bordeaux INP / University of Bordeaux, France
Co-supervisor: Gunnar F. Schröder – Professor, Molecular Structure and Biophysics Group, Ernst-Ruska Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany
DC6: Rahul Kumar
I am Rahul Kumar, originally from the northern part of India. I completed my BS-MS at IISER Mohali, with a major in Physics and a minor in Biology. My research interests lie at the intersection of physics and biology.
During my studies, I had the opportunity to work in different research labs across India, the USA, and Spain, exploring different aspects of biophysical research. In 2023, I was awarded the Khorana Scholarship, which gave me the opportunity to undertake my first research internship at the University of Virginia, USA, in membrane biophysics. I did my master’s thesis project at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, where I worked on developing a digital approach for the detection of amyloid particles.
DC6 project
The project aims to characterize the islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP)/lipids complexes by NMR and to determination their structure at the near atomic resolution. Structural characterization of the IAPP fibrils grown in the presence of the Amyloid Protein-Lipid (AP-L) complexes will be done using NMR and compared to the structure obtained with cryo-EM (DC5). IAPP fibril formation kinetics in the absence and presence of AP-L will be studied as well as the incorporation of the AP-L into model membranes.
The Doctorate Candidate will also investigate membrane damages and/or perturbations associated with IAPP-lipid complex binding using fluorescence leaking assay and 2H and 31P-NMR. All NMR structural data will be correlated with toxicity assays performed by DC7.
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor: Christian Griesinger – Director, Department of NMR-Based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
Co-supervisor: Lucie Khemtemourain – Research Director, Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Membranes and Nano-objects, Spectroscopy and Imaging of Membrane-Active Peptides Team, CNRS / Bordeaux INP / University of Bordeaux, France
DC7: Stefanie Franziska Gröschl
I got my first research experience through a volunteer service in liver research at the University of Bonn and an internship in computational biomedicine at Forschungszentrum Jülich. I then studied Molecular Medicine (BSc) at the University of Göttingen, where I discovered my love for neuroscience and gained my first experience culturing hiPSC-derived neurons during an internship at the University of Guelph.
I continued with a MSc in Neurosciences at the University of Bonn, where my Master’s thesis focused on establishing a 3D in vitro model of CNS injury, sparking my interest in astrocytes and their role in the diseased brain.
DC7 project
The Doctorat Candidate (DC) enrolled in this position, will identify mechanisms by which astrocytes spread Amyloid Protein-Lipid (AP-L) complexes and study if the AP-Ls induce astrocytic stress responses that affect their interplay with neurons. The candidate will expose cultures of human iPCS-derived astrocytes to fluorescently labelled AP-L complexes and analyze how the cells accumulate and spread the complexes over time using live cell imaging, immunocytochemistry, ELISA, Western blot, electron microscopy and other techniques.
Moreover, the DC will isolate deposits of amyloid complexes from human astrocytes and determination of their lipid composition. Moreover, the DC will isolate deposits of amyloid complexes from human astrocytes for DC10.
2 Host institutions:
Associate partner:
Bioartic
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor: Anna Erlandsson – Professor, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences; Molecular Geriatrics / Rudbeck Laboratory, Sweden
Co-supervisor: Lucie Khemtemourain – Research Director, Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Membranes and Nano-objects, Spectroscopy and Imaging of Membrane-Active Peptides Team, CNRS / Bordeaux INP / University of Bordeaux, France
DC8: Nikolaos Mentis
I received my integrated Master’s degree with distinction from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Patras, Greece. My undergraduate thesis in the group of Professor Gerasimos Rassias focused on synthesizing novel intepirdine derivatives targeting the 5-HT6 receptor and HDAC6 enzyme for neurodegenerative diseases.
Following graduation, I completed a four-month Erasmus+ research internship with Professor Florian Rudroff at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), working on enzyme-catalyzed Pictet-Spengler reactions, before completing my practical training as a community pharmacist. Beyond the lab, I enjoy hiking trips, fitness, learning languages and history podcasts.
DC8 project
The DC enrolled in this position, will synthesize peptide mimics to modulate the pathological α-Synuclein protein aggregation as well as α-Synuclein/lipids interaction. The DC will be involved in the synthesis of unnatural scaffolds, i.e. non-natural amino acids and of peptide mimics, designed according to the results of the structural biology results of the consortium.
The DC will also perform conformational studies using NMR techniques, and will be involved in some biophysical and biochemical evaluations of the activity and the interaction of the prepared compounds with α-Synuclein or with lipids.
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor: Sandrine Ongeri – Professor of Therapeutic Chemistry, FluoPEPIT/BioCIS Team, Université Paris-Saclay / CNRS, France
Co-supervisor: Birgit Strodel – Professor, Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany
DC9: Lars Noel Sämi Balmer
My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedicine at the University ofFribourg in Switzerland, followed by a Master’s degree in Medical Sciences with a focus onBiomedicine at Uppsala University in Sweden. In my master’s thesis, I explored how estradiol influences astrocytes in the context ofAlzheimer’s disease pathology.
Using iPSC-derived astrocytes, I investigated estrogenreceptor expression and studied the effects of estradiol on Aβ accumulation andinflammatory responses following exposure to Aβ fibrils. During my studies, I developed a strong interest in the molecular mechanisms involved inneurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease.
DC9 project
This research project consists in investigating the cellular toxicity of AP-L complexes (αS, Aβ and IAPP) in pancreatic cells and iPSC-derived neurons. The Aβ-L, αS-L and IAPP-L complexes formed in vitro will be provided by DC1, DC2 and DC3, respectively. IAPP-L complexes isolated from pancreatic islets will be provided by DC3. iPSC from healthy controls and patients will be differentiated into dopaminergic ventral midbrain neurons.
The cellular toxicity of the AP-L will be assessed using Propidium Iodide (PI) cell death and TUNNEL assay, MTT, ROS analysis, ICC and Seahorse assays and compared to that of lipid-free AP complexes. The influence of AP-L inhibitors on cell toxicity will also be investigated using the inhibitors designed by DC8 and DC11.
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor: Céline Galvagnion – Associate Professor of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Co-supervisor: Anna Erlandsson – Professor, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences; Molecular Geriatrics / Rudbeck Laboratory, Sweden
DC10: Tess Maurel
I studied Chemistry at Aix-Marseille University (France) before pursuing a Master’s degree in COVAN (Organic Chemistry, Life Sciences and Nanochemistry) at the University of Bordeaux (France). During my Master’s, I first investigated the RAGE receptor and then studied the impact of cadmium on Tau protein aggregation. These research experiences led me to develop an interest in the molecular mechanisms driving protein aggregation and neurodegeneration.
I am now pursuing my PhD, investigating α-synuclein–lipid complexes in neuronal models. My work focuses on isolating these complexes, characterizing their lipid composition by mass spectrometry, and studying their seeding activity and effects on membrane integrity.
DC10 project
This project aims at isolating αS-L complexes from neuronal models, to identify their lipid composition and seeding capacities in the test tube. The capacity of ex-cellulo isolated and in vitro prepared (in collaboration with DC2) αS-L complexes to seed the aggregation of αS in the test tube will be characterised using standard Thioflavin-T assays. Moreover, the PhD student will investigate membrane damages and/or perturbations associated with αS-L complex binding using RRS and fluorescence leaking assays during his/her stay at UNICT.
The effect of inhibitors on the membrane damaged and/or perturbations caused by these αS-L complexes as well as their seeding capacity in vitro and in cells will also be investigated in collaboration with DC8.
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor: Céline Galvagnion – Associate Professor of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Co-supervisor: Carmelo La Rosa – Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
DC11: Biagini Alessia
I graduated in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in April 2026. My thesis focused on the synthesis of a polypharmacological small molecule able to inhibit the hyperphosphorylation and aggregation of the tau protein. During this period, I became fascinated by medicinal chemistry, particularly in the field of amyloid proteins.
During my fifth year, I also completed a six-month internship in a pharmacy. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities, swimming, and spending time with my family and friends.I graduated in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in April 2026. My thesis focused on the synthesis of a polypharmacological small molecule able to inhibit the hyperphosphorylation and aggregation of the tau protein. During this period, I became fascinated by medicinal chemistry, particularly in the field of amyloid proteins. During my fifth year, I also completed a six-month internship in a pharmacy. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities, swimming, and spending time with my family and friends.
DC11 project
The DC enrolled in this position, will synthesize peptide mimics to modulate the pathological Aβ-lipid and IAPP-lipid interaction. The DC will be involved in the synthesis of unnatural scaffolds, i.e. non-natural AAs and of peptide mimics, designed according to the results of the structural biology results of the consortium.
The DC will also perform conformational studies using NMR techniques, and will be involved in some biophysical and biochemical evaluations of the activity and of the influence of the prepared compounds on Aβ/lipid effects.
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor: Sandrine Ongeri – Professor of Therapeutic Chemistry, FluoPEPIT/BioCIS Team, Université Paris-Saclay / CNRS, France
Co-supervisor: Carmelo La Rosa – Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
DC12: Konstantinos Sideris
I hold a BSc in Biology from the University of Crete. I interned in the Molecular Virology Laboratory at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute and conducted my bachelor’s thesis on L-Dopa decarboxylase at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
During my MSc in Neuroscience at NKUA, I investigated senescence in iPSC-derived astrocytes from Parkinson’s disease patients in HPI’s Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology. I also completed a Pasteur Network–supported internship at Institut Pasteur Paris, applying high-content and super-resolution imaging.Currently, I am a PhD Fellow in the Galvagnion Group at the University of Copenhagen, studying Parkinson’s disease mechanisms.
DC12 project
This research project aims at studying the seeding capacity of AP-L in pancreatic and iPSC-derived neurons. The capacity of ex-cellulo isolated (in collaboration with DC3, DC7 and DC10) and in vitro prepared (in collaboration with DC1, DC2, DC3) AP-L complexes to seed the aggregation of αS, Aβ and IAPP in pancreatic cells and/or iPSC-derived neuronal cells will be investigated using confocal microscopy.
Finally, the potential inhibitory effect of small molecules and peptidomimetics on in cellulo protein aggregation will be studied (in collaboration with DC4 and DC8).
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Main host : Céline Galvagnion – Associate Professor of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Second host : Anna Erlandsson – Professor, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences; Molecular Geriatrics / Rudbeck Laboratory, Sweden
DC13: Feiyang Zhang
I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry in 2024 through the dual‑degree programme between Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology and the University of Reading. I then pursued my MSc in Computational Chemistry at UCL under the supervision of Rachel Crespo Otero, graduating with Distinction in December 2025. During my master’s studies, I developed machine learning approaches for emission spectrum simulation. After working as an A‑Level Chemistry teacher back in China, I joined the LipAgg Doctoral Network in July 2026.
My doctoral research, supervised by Prof. Rita Guzzi, employs EPR, FTIR and NMR spectroscopy to probe the molecular dynamics governing protein aggregation at lipid membranes.
DC13 project
This project aims at characterizing the aggregation state of amyloid proteins Aβ and IAPP complexed with lipid membranes using FTIR, EPR and NMR spectroscopy. The dynamical properties will be studied by measuring membrane fluidity and order parameters using EPR with spin labelled lipids or site directed spin labelled Aβ.
The lipid/proteins contacts will be determined by NMR spectroscopy. The composition of the model membranes investigated will be designed according to the protocols established by research partners (mainly DC1).
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor: Rita Guzzi – Associate Professor of Applied Physics, University of Calabria, Italy
Co-supervisor: Christian Griesinger – Director, Department of NMR-Based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
DC14: Kourosh Sharif
My academic journey began with a strong interest in molecular biology and biophysics, which led me to pursue an MSc in Molecular Biology of the Cell at the University of Milan, Italy.
During my studies, I became increasingly interested in understanding biological systems at the molecular and atomic level.
This interest brought me to TU Dortmund University in Germany, where I carried out my
Master’s thesis research using molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structure and ion-conduction mechanisms of a viral potassium channel. Through this experience, I developed a strong interest in computational biology, molecular simulations, proteins, and biological membranes.
DC14 project
How do complexes formed between the amyloid proteins (Aβ, IAPP, and αS) and lipids)—referred to as AP-L complexes—penetrate and destabilize cell membranes? This project aims to decode the reciprocal dynamics between these toxic AP-L complexes and the lipid membrane environment. Using enhanced molecular simulation techniques, the successful candidate (DC14) will capture the high-resolution “insertion” events that trigger membrane failure.
A unique strength of this role is the tight integration of computational modeling with experimental EPR spectroscopy, providing a comprehensive assessment of lipid bilayer integrity.
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor: Birgit Strodel – Professor, Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany
Co-supervisor: Rita Guzzi – Associate Professor of Applied Physics, University of Calabria, Italy
DC15: Spencer Gardiner
My scientific journey began in 6th grade with the magazine Popular Science. I loved reading about scientists and engineers making discoveries and designing solutions. Since then, my goal has been to help solve important problems.
I attended Brigham Young University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s in Computer Science. Throughout this time I worked in Prof. Dennis Della Corte’s lab on computational protein engineering projects. Most importantly, I learned how to be a scientist through Dr Della Corte’s mentorship.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, running, and camping with my family.
DC15 project
This PhD project studies how alpha-synuclein aggregates in the presence of lipids, which is relevant for example to Parkinson’s disease. High-resolution structures of lipidic α-synuclein fibrils will be determined using cryo-electron microscopy in the presence of aggregation inhibitors, with the aim to characterize how different inhibitors change the fibril structure.
The structural data will guide the design of new aggregation inhibitors, and the results will be linked to cellular toxicity. Computational modelling and peptide docking to alpha-synuclein structures to improve inhibitor binding. The project also supports related amyloid-β studies and includes collaboration on inhibitor design and synthesis.
2 Host institutions:
Partner:
Host PI:
Supervisor: Gunnar F. Schröder – Professor, Molecular Structure and Biophysics Group, Ernst-Ruska Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany
Co-supervisor: Sandrine Ongeri – Professor of Therapeutic Chemistry, FluoPEPIT/BioCIS Team, Université Paris-Saclay / CNRS, France