ELSC Seminar Series

Neurodegenerative diseases, long defined by protein aggregates and neuronal dysfunction, are now being reexamined through the lens of infection and immunity. In this talk, I will present emerging evidence linking microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, to chronic brain diseases, focusing on Alzheimer’s disease. I will build on our recent work (Hyde et al. and Shemesh, 2025), which uncovers how latent pathogens may shape neuroinflammatory landscapes. Using expansion microscopy of human postmortem brains, genomic sequencing, and brain organoid models, we visualize and characterize pathogen-host interactions at unprecedented resolution. I will also highlight how similar principles may apply to other brain disorders, suggesting a broader role for microorganisms in neurological pathophysiology. Together, these insights offer a shift with implications for diagnostics, therapeutics, and our understanding of brain health across the lifespan.