A. Baki Agbas

Bio

Dr. Agbas is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry at KCU since 2010. Previously, Dr. Agbas worked at UMKC, KU Medical Center-Kansas City, and KU-Lawrence as a basic scientist. Dr. Agbas research interest is mitochondrial biology in neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, Dr. Agbas got involved in to study the bioenergetics profile in motor neuron/astrocyte cells. This model system will advance the  understanding about the molecular mechanism of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) at mitochondrial level. Dr. Agbas' current research is focused on establishing an early and credible surrogate marker for diagnosing and monitoring the mitochondrial dysfunction of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) There is a strong evidence for a direct link between aberrant TDP-43 protein and neurodegeneration. A potential candidate biomolecule TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) may serve such function. The anticipated interaction between post-translationally modified TDP-43 C-terminal fragments and mitochondria outer membrane proteins [especially translocator protein in the outer mitochondrial membrane (TSPO)] may lead to activate mitochondrial mitophagy; hence, the regulation of mitochondria population may be affected in neurodegeneration.