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Jose F. Abisambra, PhD, serves as Professor and Vice-Chair of Strategy in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He holds additional leadership roles as Associate Director of Research Programs at the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, Deputy Director of the Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, and Neuroresilience (BRAIN) Center, and Co-Director of the MS in Neuroscience Graduate Program. Dr. Abisambra received his MS and PhD in medical sciences with a focus on molecular medicine from the University of South Florida in 2010, followed by postdoctoral training at the same institution. Prior to joining UF in 2018 as an associate professor of neuroscience, he established his first independent research laboratory at the University of Kentucky. His promotion to full professor in August 2025 recognizes his significant contributions to research, education, and service within the neuroscience community.
The research in Dr. Abisambra's laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms by which pathological tau protein induces cellular dysfunction, with a particular emphasis on shifts in ribosomal function and RNA translation that contribute to the pathogenesis of tauopathies. These include Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia with tau inclusions, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and traumatic brain injury. The lab's overarching goal is to develop therapies to cure these more than 20 known neurodegenerative disorders. Among his highly cited publications are “Primary age-related tauopathy (PART): a common pathology associated with human aging” (Crary et al., 2014); “Exercise-linked FNDC5/irisin rescues synaptic plasticity and memory defects in Alzheimer’s models” (Lourenco et al., 2019); “Interaction of tau with the RNA-binding protein TIA1 regulates tau pathophysiology and toxicity” (Vanderweyde et al., 2016); “Tau accumulation activates the unfolded protein response by impairing endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation” (Abisambra et al., 2013); and “The Hsp90 cochaperone, FKBP51, increases Tau stability and polymerizes microtubules” (Jinwal et al., 2010). Through his administrative roles, Dr. Abisambra fosters collaboration among research labs, promotes innovation, and expands access to neuroscience technologies across the University of Florida campus.
University of Florida researchers reveal novel therapeutic targets for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy via brain tissue analysis, offering hope for tauopathy treatments.
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