Chris Rochet

Title:

Professor

PhD Granting Institution:

University of Alberta

Contact:

Email Address: jrochet@purdue.edu
Office Phone: 765-494-1413
Lab Website Link: https://www.mcmp.purdue.edu/faculty/jrochet

Primary Training Group:

Integrative Neuroscience

Secondary Training Groups:

Biomolecular Structure and Biophysics, Chemical Biology

Research Areas:

Neurodegenerative disorders: Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), Alzheimer's disease (AD) Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Current Projects:

Pathogenic mechanisms of PD, DLB, AD (protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, disruption of protein clearance mechanisms) Neuroprotective strategies for PD, DLB, AD (inhibition of protein aggregation; stimulation of antioxidant pathways and protein clearance mechanisms) Development of biomarker assays for PD, DLB, AD, and ASD (e.g., measurement of aSyn proteoforms in CSF or saliva, phospho-tau isoforms in blood)

Importance of Interdisciplinary Research:

Students in the Rochet lab have the opportunity to develop expertise in interdisciplinary methods spanning protein biochemistry, cell biology, and in vivo neuroscience. The methods utilized in our lab include: Biochemistry: aSyn fibrillization Molecular Biology: gene transfer in cell culture and rodent brain Stem Cell (iPSC) Technologies Stereotaxic Surgery Animal Behavior: motor and cognitive function assessments Advanced Imaging: confocal microscopy, two-photon imaging Drug Discovery: high-throughput screening, biomarker assays This interdisciplinary training equips students with the knowledge and technical skills to address a wide range of scientific problems, laying the groundwork for future career success.