Dr. Janice Braun

Biography

Janice Braun is an Associate Professor at the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, with a focus on understanding the protective role of molecular chaperones in neurodegeneration. Chaperones are crucial in preventing the accumulation of misfolded proteins, an issue prevalent in various neurodegenerative disorders such as prion disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Her research program investigates the role molecular chaperones play in synaptic function and how their efficiency can be compromised in neurodegenerative conditions. Dr. Braun aims to explore the mechanisms of action of chaperones in mammalian systems, with the hope of identifying effective therapies that pharmacologically target chaperones to alter disease-modifying pathways. Through her work, she seeks to contribute to the understanding of how neuronal cells maintain protein homeostasis and prevent misfolding, an area still poorly understood despite its importance in neurodegenerative diseases.

Research Interests

Experience