Live Imaging
​
I use live-cell imaging to capture dynamic processes that shape disease. With fluorescent labeling, I’ve tracked how α-synuclein fibrils are rapidly internalized and sent to lysosomes, how lysosomes swell or rupture under stress, and how mitochondria fragment, move, or undergo clearance. I’ve also visualized viral entry, organelle interactions, and protein trafficking in real time, linking cellular events to pathology.
GBA KO Astrocytes
​
GBA KO cells show a unique lysosomal morphology, where lysosomes are tubulated and filamentous. This morphology does not survive fixation, therefore, it is vital to capture this morphology in live cells. On the right, we can see lysosomal tubulation in GBA KO astrocytes. Lysosomes (red) show tubulation, with the filamentous lysosomes being stabilized and showing very little activity.
GBA KO Neurons
​
GBA KO neurons show a unique lysosomal morphology, where lysosomes are form a comet like morphology. PFFs contained within these lysosomes look like shooting stars!
Lysosomal Trafficking
α-syn fibrils tagged with fluorescent probes were used added to cells. In addition to observing rapid lysosomal internalization, live imaging is used to show lysosomal dynamics and fusion events.
​
