Having initially finalised on using Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) as a model, we found it incumbent to consult a neuroscientist for further guidance during our project. Prof. Ravi Muddashetty, from the Centre for Brain Research, IISc, was the first neuroscientist we consulted. Upon hearing our proposal, he gave us positive feedback about the basic idea, but also mentioned that the model disease which we had narrowed down on would be challenging to work on.
The presence of amyloids and its seeding properties make Alzheimer's a complex misfolded protein disease. He suggested that we look upon other diseases such as Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, tauopathies and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis among others. Taking his valuable inputs and suggestions into consideration, we started reading about other diseases, their progression, molecularity and other characteristics. After deliberating debates, frequent consultations and umpteen rounds of meetings, we came to the decision of working on tauopathies as our model disease.
We also consulted other distinguished neuroscientists such as Prof. Giriraj Sahu and Prof. Rishikesh Narayanan, Molecular Biophysics Unit, IISc. Though their work did not directly pertain to AD, they could still provide positive feedback about our idea. Both referred us to an expert in Alzheimer’s and cellular neuroscience, Prof. Deepak Nair.