PhD student Peihang Li

Peihang’s research focuses on:

Understanding how mitochondria activity becomes impaired in Lewy body dementia

Every cell in the human body requires energy to sustain its functions, and this energy is primarily generated by mitochondria. When mitochondrial activity becomes impaired, cells fail to produce sufficient energy to survive or to perform their specialised roles. 

There is growing evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction is an important contributor to many brain diseases, including Lewy body dementia.

Tell us about your project

It’s not clear yet how mitochondrial dysfunction starts or how it is linked to the causes of Lewy body dementia. 

One mechanism that is beginning to be recognised as contributing to brain disease is the modification of RNA. RNA molecules convey genetic information for protein synthesis, but their function can be finely regulated through post-transcriptional modifications. These include parts of molecules needing to be cut or extra molecules added. 

My project will look at RNA modifications in mitochondria to test if this process is part of the reason Lewy body dementia develops. 

To test this idea, I will use advanced microscopy to look at modified RNAs in brain cells, including how many they are and whether the modifications happen in the same places Lewy bodies develop. I will also use sequencing datasets of post-mortem brain tissue from people with Lewy body dementia to identify whether RNA modifications are altered in disease. Through this I will uncover how mitochondrial RNA modifications and mitochondrial health are connected to Lewy body formation and cell survival.

How will this research impact people living with dementia?

Ultimately, this research could provide the foundations for future treatments that target RNA regulation or mitochondrial health to slow down or prevent dementia. 

While these goals will take time to achieve, every step toward understanding the root causes brings us closer to developing strategies that could improve the lives of people with Lewy body dementia.

What does it mean to you to be a part of Alzheimer's Society Doctoral Training Centre?

For me, being part of an Alzheimer’s Society Doctoral Training Centre carries both a deep sense of responsibility and a meaningful opportunity.

It allows me to contribute to research that could one day improve the lives of people living with dementia and their families. At the same time, it means joining a vibrant and supportive community of researchers, clinicians, and partners, where we are guided by experienced supervisors and uplifted by one another.