Peroxisomes are organelles found in nearly all eukaryotic cells. They participate in a number of important metabolic processes, including breakdown of fatty acids, detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS), assembly and degradation of amino acids and more.

 

The number and size of peroxisomes within a cell varies depending on cell type and environment. Defects in peroxisome assembly and function often lead to severe genetic disorders such as the Zellweger Spectrum Disorders (ZSD), X-ALD (the disease described in the movie ‘Lorenzo’s oil’) and more.

 

Though peroxisomes where first described ~70 years ago, and although it is clear that peroxisome function is crucial for different aspects of human health and disease,  little is known about peroxisomes compared to other metabolic organelles.

 

In the Zalckvar lab we aim to understand peroxisome contribution to human health and diseases. We establish and use systematic tools to better understand the molecular basis of rare diseases. This knowledge is crucial to explore new treatment avenues both in cases of rare genetic disorders as well as in more prevalent diseases such as cancer, obesity and viral infections.