Dr. Elizabeth Jonas

Biography

Elizabeth Jonas received training in Neurology and Internal Medicine, and developed an interest in Neuroscience while studying under Dr. Rodolfo Llinas at New York University and the Marine Biological Laboratory. She further pursued her interest as a post-doctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Leonard Kaczmarek at Yale University. Dr. Jonas has developed techniques for recording ion channels in intracellular membranes to study mitochondria, essential for neuronal survival. Her research focuses on the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism and energy efficiency in relation to neurodegenerative diseases and memory formation. Her lab has characterized the molecular identity of a cell death channel known as the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, investigating its inhibition to ameliorate conditions such as stroke and developmental brain diseases. Jonas also explores the role of mitochondrial bioenergetics in disorders like Parkinson's disease, investigating the effects of mutations in the DJ-1 protein on ATP synthase function and neuronal processes. Her work aims to elucidate the complex interplay between mitochondrial function and synaptic transmission, aiming for advances in the understanding of various neurological conditions.

Research Interests