Jae-Kyung Lee focuses on investigating the role of innate immune cells in the progression of synucleinopathies, which are characterized by the accumulation of abnormally aggregated alpha-synuclein. Dr. Lee employs a combination of preclinical models to explore the interaction between innate immune cells and abnormal protein aggregates in synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease (PD), Lewy body dementia (LBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Extracellular alpha-syn aggregates activate microglia in the brain and influence peripheral immune cells, suggesting that both central and peripheral immune responses play critical roles in synucleinopathies. The Lee lab aims to understand how synuclein pathology impacts these immune responses and to elucidate the role of innate immune cells in the progression of PD. Dr. Lee’s long-term goal is to uncover how the immune system contributes to PD-associated brain changes, potentially identifying novel mechanisms and therapeutic avenues for treating neurodegenerative diseases.