Andrea Lobo,  —

Andrea Lobo is a Science writer at BioNews. She holds a Biology degree and a PhD in Cell Biology/Neurosciences from the University of Coimbra-Portugal, where she studied stroke biology. She was a postdoctoral and senior researcher at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health in Porto, in drug addiction, studying neuronal plasticity induced by amphetamines. As a research scientist for 19 years, Andrea participated in academic projects in multiple research fields, from stroke, gene regulation, cancer, and rare diseases. She authored multiple research papers in peer-reviewed journals. She shifted towards a career in science writing and communication in 2022.

Articles by Andrea Lobo

Protein-like polymer may limit oxidative stress, protect nerve cells

A newly developed molecule showed an ability in lab studies to activate antioxidant responses in brain cells by altering how two proteins, believed to be involved in the development of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, interact. The small molecule, known as a protein-like polymer, is designed to bind to…

Method generates dopaminergic neurons lost in Parkinson’s disease

Researchers in Canada have developed a new method to generate functional dopaminergic neurons, the dopamine-producing nerve cells lost in Parkinson’s disease, from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC). The scientists used an antibody to selectively activate FZD5, a receptor, in the stem cells, which stimulated a specific molecular signaling pathway involved…

RAB32 gene mutation tied to higher Parkinson’s risk, study finds

People who carry a specific mutation in the RAB32 gene have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, researchers at the University of Florida found. The mutation, called RAB32 Ser71Arg, was identified in 16 individual families from different ethnic groups and increased the activation of the LRRK2 protein, a…

AAN 2024: Patients, care partners see improved health with cycling

Cycling indoors on a stationary bicycle for two may improve the health and well-being of people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners, a preliminary small study at the University of South Carolina suggests. The results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, which…

Rumble Boxing teams up with MJFF for Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Rumble Boxing, a U.S. fitness brand, is partnering for the second year with Team Fox, the grassroots fundraising community of The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), to raise awareness and funds during Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month this April. Among Rumble’s planned activities is a multicity tour panel…

Trial of VQ-101 for patients with GBA gene mutations begins dosing

The first patient has been dosed in a first-in-human trial testing Vanqua Bio’s VQ-101 as an oral therapy for Parkinson’s disease linked to mutations in the GBA gene, the company has announced. The Phase 1 clinical trial is assessing the safety, tolerability, and pharmacological properties of VQ-101 in both…