Maria Alme

Maria has a PhD in neuroscience from University of Bergen. Her main interest is the role of the immune system in autoimmune neurodegenerative disorders. Parts of her time as a postdoctoral fellow was spent at the University of Virginia, USA.

Contact: maria.alme@uib.no

Maria is interested in the role of the immune system in the two autoimmune neurodegenerative disorders Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) and Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration (PCD). One major focus of her research is to develop clinically relevant animal models that can be used to understand the role of immune cells in early stages of these disorders. These processes are potential therapuetic targets to inhibit further neurodegeneration.

Projects

1. Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS):
PPMS is a chronic neurodegenerative type of MS. I am working on an animal model of PPMS that mimics the damaging mechanisms and the immune activation seen in these patients. I am specifically interested in elucidating the role of parenchymal and infiltrated immune cells, the interplay between these and how and when neuronal damage occurs. The long-term goal is to identify key mechanisms for neuronal damage and be able to target these to reduce or avoid damage.

2. Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration (PCD):
It has been reported that there is a strong microglial activation at late stages of PCD. In an autopsy study I have investigated this in more detail (manuscript in prep), and I know more about the specific immune cell types that are involved at this stage. This will be followed up in a suitable animal model that is under preparation. One important question is whether these findings are relevant for earlier stages of the disease and hence representing suitable therapeutic targets.

Current students at the project: Tony Chen (2016-2017), medical student.
I have available projects for students.

Publications of M. Alme

National:
Dr. Med. Charalampos Tzoulis, Translation in Neurodegeneration & Aging, UiB
Prof. Øivind G. Torkildsen, Norwegian center for MS Research, UiB/HUS.
Prof. Silke Appel, Broegelman institute, UiB.

International:
Prof. Jonathan Kipnis, Univeristy of Virginia, USA.
Dr. Jasmin Herz, University of Virginia, USA.
Prof. Juan Arratia, Universidad Metropolitana, Puerto Rico, USA.