The lab of Dr. Richard McKenney at UC Davis is focused on the fascinating world of molecular movement and cellular organization. Building upon his expertise in cytoskeletal-based transport, their research has recently pivoted to address a central, unanswered question in neurodegeneration: the physiological function of the microtubule-associated protein tau. They have challenged the long-standing view of tau as a simple, passive stabilizer of microtubules. His lab discovered that healthy tau forms dynamic, reversible protein “envelopes” on microtubules that act as intelligent gatekeepers, precisely controlling the movement of motor proteins like kinesin and dynein to regulate axonal transport.
This discovery has reshaped their research focus. They are now testing their central hypothesis that the initiating pathogenic event in Alzheimer’s disease is not the formation of late-stage tangles, but rather the functional corruption of these tau envelopes. Their model posits that this early breakdown disrupts transport, starves neurons, and turns the broken envelopes into toxic platforms that accelerate aggregation. By combining advanced molecular biology, biochemistry, and single- molecule TIRF microscopy, the lab aims to decipher the fundamental biophysical rules that govern tau’s function in both health and disease, with the ultimate goal of identifying new therapeutic strategies that preserve its vital physiological role.

To learn more, visit Dr. McKenney’s lab website.