Sanders-Brown Faculty

Michael P. Murphy, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Departmental Affiliation(s):

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Research Focus:

Pathogenic mechanisms and treatment of age-related amyloid diseases

In the lab:

Tina L. Beckett (Research Analyst)

Robin L Webb (Graduate Student)

Rachel R. Ahmed (Graduate Student)

Christa M. Studzinski (Post-Doctoral Fellow)

Feng Li (Technician)

Lab Mission:

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is potentially involved in a variety of cellular processes, but is best known for its role as the source of a small peptide fragment known as the amyloid ß peptide (Aß). This peptide plays a major role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain. Aß and APP are also likely involved in the pathology of another age-related human degenerative disease – inclusion body myositis – in muscle. Our lab studies the processes that generate Aß from APP, and the factors that regulate these at the cellular and molecular level. Our aim is to use the knowledge gained from these studies to refine model systems in which to develop novel therapeutic approaches that may one day lead to effective clinical treatments for both disorders. Recent studies include the use of widely available nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen), passive immunotherapy, and lowering of cholesterol using commonly prescribed drugs.

Recent Publications:

Galasko DR, Graff-Radford N, May S, Hendrix S, Cottrell BA, Sagi SA, Mather G, Laughlin M, Zavitz KH, Swabb E, Golde TE, Murphy MP, Koo EH. Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Abeta Levels After Short-term Administration of R-flurbiprofen in Healthy Elderly Individuals. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 21: 292-299, 2007.

Kukar T, Prescott S, Eriksen JL, Holloway V, Murphy MP, Koo EH, Golde TE, Nicolle MM. Chronic administration of R-flurbiprofen attenuates learning impairments in transgenic amyloid precursor protein mice. BMC Neurosci 8: 54, 2007.

Liu Y, Guan H, Beckett TL, Juliano MA, Juliano L, Song ES, Chow KM, Murphy MP, Hersh LB. In vitro and in vivo degradation of Abeta peptide by peptidases coupled to erythrocytes. Peptides 28: 2348-2355, 2007.

Murphy MP, Beckett TL, Ding Q, Patel E, Markesbery WR, St Clair DK, LeVine H, 3rd, Keller JN. Abeta solubility and deposition during AD progression and in APPxPS-1 knock-in mice. Neurobiol Dis 27: 301-311, 2007.