DrSzymon Manka

Our work seeks to understand the molecular origins of protein misfolding and neurodegeneration, and to develop new ways to detect these earliest pathological events. We combine structural biology, cellular systems, imaging, and molecular tool development to study processes that are often inaccessible to conventional methods.

Structural basis of protein misfolding

We investigate how proteins adopt disease-associated conformations and assemble into pathogenic states. Structural approaches, including cryo-EM, allow us to examine the architecture of misfolded protein assemblies and to connect molecular structure with biological behaviour.

Prion strain diversity and neurodegeneration

A major area of focus has been the structural and mechanistic basis of prion strain diversity. Understanding how distinct conformational states encode biological properties is important not only for prion disease, but also for broader questions in protein aggregation and neurodegeneration.

Imaging protein misfolding in cells

We develop and apply methods to visualise protein misfolding in living cells. This work aims to bridge the gap between molecular structure and cellular pathology by allowing disease-relevant processes to be observed in more native biological contexts.

Earliest-stage detection of misfolding events

An emerging direction in the lab is the development of new strategies to detect the earliest molecular signatures of protein misfolding, before conventional biomarkers become visible. This work is motivated by the need for earlier mechanistic insight and, ultimately, earlier opportunities for intervention in neurodegenerative disease.