Nicolo Tonali
Nicolò Tonali is currently a researcher at the CEA Saclay, affiliated with the DRF/JOLIOT/DMTS/SIMoS/LPEM. He obtained the PharmaD in 2013 at the University of Milano (Italy) and the PhD in medicinal chemistry at Université Paris-Saclay (France). He performed a post-doctoral fellow at the Bielefeld University in the Prof. Norbert Sewald's group and another postdoc at CEA Saclay in the laboratory directed by Dr. Denis Servent. His work focuses on the misfolding and aggregation of amyloid proteins, particularly Aβ1-42 and tau, which are central to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. His research centers on the rational designed chemical model systems—synthetic molecules inspired by protein secondary structures (β-strands, helices, PPII). These systems mimic the "hot spot" sequences of protein-protein interactions and offer improved stability, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties. Some of these molecules have shown promising in vitro activity in modulating amyloid aggregation and misfolding, stabilizing intermediate forms of Aβ1-42 and tau, allowing a better understanding of the amyloid aggregation process. Dr. Tonali is also exploring PROTAC-based strategies that aim to enhance the interaction between transthyretin (TTR) and Aβ42, potentially promoting the natural degradation of toxic amyloid aggregates. His team is particularly interested in copper-mediated interactions, given the presence of metal ions in Alzheimer’s-affected brains, to facilitate aggregate clearance and reduce neurotoxicity. He is also the coordinator of the ANR-DFG project "FluPepDye", which focuses on the development of fluorescent peptidomimetic probes to study and modulate amyloid aggregation mechanisms. He leads cutting-edge research at CEA-Saclay combining bio-inspired chemistry, structural biology, and innovative pharmacological tools to develop therapeutic solutions targeting protein misfolding and aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases.
Abstracts this author is presenting: