Basic Medical Sciences scholar in College of Veterinary Medicine brings forth new volume as an important resource for researchers in neurodegenerative drug discovery
Publication Title
Translational Research Methods for Tauopathies
Purdue Authors
Taiwo Ademoye
Omnia Ibrahium
Jean-Christophe Rochet
Publisher
Humana Press
Publication Date
September 4, 2026
About the book:
This volume addresses tauopathies, which the editor, Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty member Jessica Fortin, says “…encompass a group of neurodegenerative diseases defined by the misfolding and aggregation of one of the six tau protein isoforms.” She adds, “These neurological conditions are under the umbrella of protein folding disorders, which are characterized by the accumulation of proteins prone to misfold inside and outside the cells. In the context of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain was first reported by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer.”
Later studies reported that a major component of NFTs, one of the main pathological hallmarks of AD, consisted of hyperphosphorylated tau. Since then, studies of this protein have expanded to examine the mechanisms of tau phosphorylation, aggregation, and degradation. Fortin says that the past 20 years have seen a growing interest in targeting tau for AD treatment. This shift away from the focus on amyloid-beta plaques provides a major stimulus for present-day research on tau and related biological targets.
This new 300 page volume is centered on translational research methods for tauopathies, providing detailed protocols for establishing in vitro and in vivo laboratory techniques designed to provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of tau in neurodegenerative diseases. The protocols included in the book were intentionally selected to serve as a basis for research laboratories focusing on tau-related neurodegenerative drug discovery.
Fortin says this volume is essential to advancing research that seeks to further treatments for such debilitating neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which are notable taupathies. “I am excited to see this work published and available to scholars at the leading edge of research in the tau translational field. My hope is that this work will further the understanding of the biology of this complex protein, leading to advancements in the therapeutic approaches for the devastating neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies.”
This volume is part of the Neuromethods series that the publisher describes as focusing “…on the tools and techniques unique to the investigation of the nervous system and excitable cells.” The book was written as part of the Purdue University Books Initiative, which is designed to support Purdue authors in creating volumes that enhance scholarly understanding and generate impact both inside and outside the academy. This book represents a collaborative achievement, bringing together authors from Purdue University and a range of other institutions. The corresponding authors include Vaibhav Bommareddy, Edward A. Burton, Bikash Choudhary, Jessica Fortin, Bess Frost, Rakez Kayed, Min-Hao Kuo, Cristian Lasagna Reeves, David Morgan, Raluca Ostafe, George Perry, Ghulam Jeelani Pir, Jean-Christophe Rochet, Jaime Vaquer-Alicea, and Benjamin Wolozin.
About the Purdue Editor
Jessica Fortin, DVM, PhD, is a Purdue assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Basic Medical Sciences. She earned a combined DVM-PhD degree at the University of Montreal and received her MSc degree in medicinal chemistry with honors, as well as baccalaureate degrees in chemistry (BSc) and pharmacy (BPharm) from Université Laval in Québec. She later received training in veterinary anatomic pathology at the University of Missouri and launched the Fortin Drug Discovery Lab while on the faculty at Michigan State University. Dr. Fortin is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anatomic Pathologists and the American Board of Toxicology. An experienced researcher in medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology, she developed her strong interest in protein folding disorders while completing her dual DVM-PhD degree program.
