Darren Moore Laboratory – Van Andel Institute

Darren Moore Laboratory – Van Andel Institute
Moore
Laboratory
The Moore Laboratory investigates the molecular pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease, a chronic progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder. The majority of Parkinson’s disease cases occur in a sporadic manner although 5 to 10 % of cases are inherited, with causative mutations identified in at least eight genes. The Moore Laboratory studies the normal biology and pathobiology of gene products that cause inherited Parkinson’s disease, including the common leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (
LRRK2
PARK8
), the retromer component
VPS35
PARK17
), the E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin (
PARK2
), and the lysosomal P5-type ATPase ATP13A2 (
PARK9
).
The laboratory’s goal is to elucidate the normal biological function of these proteins in the mammalian brain and the molecular mechanism(s) through which disease-associated variants in these proteins induce neuronal dysfunction and eventual neurodegeneration in inherited forms of Parkinson’s disease. Through a clear understanding of the physiological function and pathological dysfunction of these proteins, the Moore Laboratory hopes to gain important insight into the molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways underlying neurodegeneration in inherited and idiopathic forms of Parkinson’s disease.
The laboratory adopts a translational approach to identify and validate novel therapeutic strategies that may slow or halt progressive neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease. To achieve these goals, the lab uses a multidisciplinary approach employing molecular, cellular and biochemical experimental techniques in a number of model systems including human cell lines, primary neuronal cultures, the baker’s yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, transgenic, knockout and viral-mediated gene transfer rodent models, and human brain tissue. The Moore Laboratory’s mission is to understand the molecular pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease in order to develop novel targeted therapies and neuroprotective strategies to treat or prevent this devastating disease.
Join Our Team
We are continually seeking highly motivated individuals with a strong publication record to join our energetic and fast-paced lab as postdoctoral fellows. A Ph.D. with molecular and cellular biology or neuroscience experience is required to apply. Additional experience in biochemistry, proteomics, microscopy, viral vector technology, neuropathology and/or behavioral assays is preferred (but not necessary). Interested candidates should
email Dr. Moore
to inquire. Graduate students interested in joining the lab are encouraged to apply through
Van Andel Institute Graduate School
Contact Dr. Moore
Recent News & Press
Apr. 10, 2026
5 areas to watch in Parkinson’s research
Apr. 14, 2025
University of Minnesota, Van Andel Institute receive two-year, $5.8M grant to study Parkinson’s disease and cellular senescence
Feb. 7, 2025
After the recent exenatide results, what’s next in Parkinson’s disease research and clinical trials?
Interview with Dr. Darren Moore
Apr. 19, 2023
Van Andel Institute tackles Parkinson’s disease from different angles
Apr. 4, 2023
GRBJ—VAI partners with Cure Parkinson’s in clinical drug trial
Jan. 23, 2023
Our Impact
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141
peer-reviewed papers published in 2025, 74 of which were in high-impact journals
15
VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team clinical trials launched to date
10
clinical trials and related projects supported by VAI through the International Linked Clinical Trials Program
Support VAI
Darren Moore, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science; Director, MiND Program; Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson’s Disease Research
Areas of Expertise
Inherited Parkinson’s disease,
LRRK2
VPS35
Parkin
ATP13A2
, neurodegenerative disease models
Biography
Dr. Darren Moore received an undergraduate degree from the University of East Anglia in 1998 and a Ph.D. in molecular neuroscience from the University of Cambridge in 2001 in the laboratory of Dr. Piers Emson. He conducted postdoctoral training with Professor Ted Dawson in the Department of Neurology and Morris K. Udall Parkinson’s Disease Research Center of Excellence at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. Dr. Moore joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins in 2005 as an instructor and became assistant professor in 2006. In 2008, Dr. Moore moved to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne as an assistant professor in the Brain Mind Institute. In 2014, Dr. Moore joined the faculty at VAI as an associate professor in neurodegenerative science. He subsequently was promoted to professor in 2017 and to chair of the Department of Neurodegenerative Science in 2020. His laboratory is interested in understanding the biology and pathophysiology of gene products associated with inherited Parkinson’s disease.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Schmidt MY, Cuervo AM, Double KL, Ehninger D, Goldberg MS, Harvey K, Hoeijmakers JHJ, Luk KC, Mastroberardino PG,
Moore DJ
, Niedernhofer LJ, Trudeau LE, Jurk D, Andersen JK, Bellantuono I. 2026.
Unraveling the intersection of aging and Parkinson’s disease: A collaborative roadmap for advancing research models
NPJ Parkinsons Dis
12(1):28.
Dues DJ, Erb ML, Kasen A, Vatsa N, Williams ET, Nguyen APT, Henderson MX,
Moore DJ
. 2025.
Pathological α–synuclein elicits granulovacuolar degeneration independent of tau
Transl Neurodegener
14(1):31.
Massari CM, Dues DJ, Bergsma A, Sipple K, Frye M, Williams ET,
Moore DJ
. 2024.
Neuropathology in an α-synuclein preformed fibril mouse model occurs independent of the Parkinson’s disease-linked lysosomal ATP13A2 protein.
Neurobiol Dis
202:106701.
Erb ML, Sipple K, Levine N, Chen X,
Moore DJ
. 2024.
Adult-onset deletion of
ATP13A2
in mice induces progressive nigrostriatal pathway dopaminergic degeneration and lysosomal abnormalities.
NPJ Parkinsons Dis
10(1):133.
Yuan Y, Li H, Sreeram K, Malankhanova T, Boddu R, Strader S, Chang A, Bryant N, Yacoubian TA, Standaert DG, Erb M,
Moore DJ
, Sanders LH, Lutz MW, Velmeshev D, West AB. 2024.
Single molecule array measures of LRRK2 kinase activity in serum link Parkinson’s disease severity to peripheral inflammation
Mol Neurodegener
19(1):47.
Wyse RK, Isaacs T, Barker RA, Cookson MR, Dawson TM, Devos D, Dexter DT, Duffen J, Federoff H, Fiske B, Foltynie T, Fox S, Greennnamyre JT, Kieburtz K, Kordower JH, Krainc D, Matthews H,
Moore DJ
, Mursaleen L, Schwarzschild MA, Stott SRW, Sulzer D, Svenningsson P, Tanner CM, Carroll C, Simon DK, Brundin P. 2024.
Twelve years of drug prioritization to help accelerate disease modification trials in Parkinson’s disease: The International Linked Clinical Trials Initiative.
J Parkinsons Dis
14(4):657–666.
Rowlands J,
Moore DJ
. 2024.
VPS35
and retromer dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease.
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci
379(1899): 20220384.
Dues DJ, Ma Y, Nguyen APT, Offerman AV, Beddows I,
Moore DJ
. 2023.
Formation of templated inclusions in a forebrain a-synuclein mouse model is independent of
LRRK2
Neurobiol Dis
188:106338.
Dues DJ, Tran Nguyen AP, Becker K, Ma J,
Moore DJ
. 2023.
Hippocampal subfield vulnerability to α-synuclein pathology precedes neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction
npj Parkinsons Dis 9(125).
Dues DJ, Ma Y, Tran Nguyen AP, Offerman AV, Beddows I,
Moore DJ
. Pre-print.
Formation of templated inclusions in a forebrain α-synuclein mouse model is independent of LRRK2
bioRxiv
Chen X, Tsika E, Levine N,
Moore DJ
. 2023.
VPS35 and α-Synuclein fail to interact to modulate neurodegeneration in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease
Mol Neurodegener 18(1):51
Fernandez B, Chittoor-Vinod VG, Kluss JH, Kelly K, Bryant N, Tran Nguyen AP, Bukhari SA, Smith N,
Moore DJ
, West AB, Cookson MR, Nichols RJ, Hildiker S. 2022.
Evaluation of current methods to detect cellular leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (
LRRK2
) kinase activity
J Parkinsons Dis
12(5):1423-1447.
Williams ET, Chen X, Otero PA,
Moore DJ
. 2022.
Understanding the contributions of VPS35 and the retromer in neurodegenerative disease
Neurobiol Dis
170:105768.
Sargent D,
Moore DJ
. 2022.
Mechanisms of VPS35-mediated neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease
Int Rev Mov Disord
2:221–244.
Sargent D, Cunningham LA, Dues DJ, Ma Y, Kordich JJ, Mercado G, Brundin P, Cowell RM,
Moore DJ
. 2021.
Neuronal
VPS35
deletion induces spinal cord motor neuron degeneration and early post-natal lethality
Brain Commun
3(3).
Senchuk MM, Van Raamsdonk JM,
Moore DJ
. 2021.
Multiple genetic pathways regulating lifespan extension are neuroprotective in a G2019S
LRRK2
nematode model of Parkinson’s disease
Neurobiol Dis
151:105267.
Erb ML,
Moore DJ
. 2020.
LRRK2
and the endolysosomal system in Parkinson’s disease
J Parkinsons Dis
10(4):1271–1291.
Dues DJ,
Moore DJ
. 2020.
LRRK2
and protein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease: Insights from animal models.
Front Neuro.
Nguyen APT, Tsika E, Kelly K, Levine N, Chen X, West AB, Boularand S, Barneoud P,
Moore DJ
. 2020.
Dopaminergic neurodegeneration induced by Parkinson’s disease-linked G2019S LRRK2 is dependent on kinase and GTPase activity.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.
Beilina A, Bonet-Ponce L, Kumaran R, Kordich JJ, Ishida M, Mamais A, Kaganovich A, Saez-Atienzar S, Gerschlick DC, Roosen DA, Pellegrini L, Malkov V, Fell MJ, Harvey K, Bonifacino JS,
Moore DJ
, Cookson MR. 2020.
The Parkinson’s disease protein LRRK2 interacts with the GARP complex to promote retrograde transport to the trans-Golgi network
Cell Rep
31(5):107614.
Cunningham LA,
Moore DJ
. 2020.
Endosomal sorting pathways in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease
Prog Brain Res
252:271–306.
Patterson JR, Duffy MF, Kemp CJ, Howe JW, Collier TJ, Stoll AC, Miller KM, Patel P, Levine N,
Moore DJ
, Luk KC, Fleming SM, Kanaan NM, Paumier KL, El-Agnaf OMA, Sortwell CE. 2019.
Time course and magnitude of alpha-synuclein inclusion formation and nigrostriatal degeneration in the rat model of synucleinopathy triggered by intrastriatal α-synuclein preformed fibrils
Neurobiol Dis
Wang X, Becker K, Levine N, Zhang M, Lieberman AP,
Moore DJ
Ma J
. 2019.
Pathogenic alpha-synuclein aggregates preferentially bind to mitochondria and affect cellular respiration
Acta Neuropathol Commun
7(1):41.
Chen X, Kordich JK, Williams ET, Levine N, Cole-Strauss A, Marshall L, Labrie V, Ma J, Lipton JW,
Moore DJ
. 2019.
Parkinson’s disease-linked D620N VPS35 knockin mice manifest tau neuropathology and dopaminergic neurodegeneration
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Williams ET, Glauser L, Tsika E, Jiang H, Islam S,
Moore DJ
. 2018.
Parkin mediates the ubiquitination of VPS35 and modulates retromer-dependent endosomal sorting
Hum Mol Genet
Williams ET,
Moore DJ
. 2018.
Deciphering the role of VPS35 in Parkinson’s disease
J Neurosci Res
96(8):1339–1340.
Nguyen APT,
Moore DJ
*. 2017.
Understanding the GTPase activity of LRRK2: regulation, function and neurotoxicity
Adv Neurobiol
14:71-88.
Tran Nguyen AP, Daniel G, Valdés P, Islam MS, Schneider BL,
Moore DJ
. 2017.
G2019S LRRK2 enhances the neuronal transmission of Tau in the mouse brain
Hum Mol Genet
27(1):120–134.
Williams ET, Chen X,
Moore DJ
. 2017.
VPS35, the retromer complex and Parkinson’s disease
J Parkinsons Dis
7(2):219–233.
Islam MS,
Moore DJ
. 2017.
Mechanisms of LRRK2-dependent neurodegeneration: Role of enzymatic activity and protein aggregation
Biochem Soc Trans
45(1):163–172.
Zheng L, Bernard-Marisassal N, Moullan N, D’Amico D, Auwerx J,
Moore DJ
, Knott G, Aebischer P, Schneider BL. 2017.
Parkin functionally interacts with PGC-1a to preserve mitochondria and protect dopaminergic neurons
Hum Mol Genet
26(3):582–598.
Islam MS, Nolte H, Jacob W, Ziegler AB, Pütz S, Grosjean T, Szczepanowska K, Trifunovic A, Braun T, Heumann H, Heumann R, Hovemann B,
Moore DJ
, Krüger M. 2016.
Human R1441C LRRK2 regulates the synaptic vesicle preteome and phosphoproteome in a
Drosophila
model of Parkinson’s disease
Hum Mol Genet
25(24)5356–5382.
Nucifora Jr FC, Nucifora LG, Ng CH, Arbez N, Guo Y, Roby E, Shani V, Engelender S, Wei D, Wang XF, Li T,
Moore DJ
, Pletnikova O, Troncoso JC, Sawa A, Dawson TM, Smith W, Lim KL, Ross CA. 2016.
Ubiqutination via K27 and K29 chains signals aggregation and neuronal protection of LRRK2 by WSB1
Nat Commun
7:11792.
Klionsky DJ…
Moore DJ
…Zughaier SM. 2016.
Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
Autophagy
12(1):1–222.
Tsika E, Nguyen AP, Dusonchet J, Colin P, Schneider BL,
Moore
DJ
. 2015.
Adenoviral-mediated expression of G2019S LRRK2 induces striatal pathology in a kinase-dependent manner in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease
Neurobiol Dis
77:49–61.
Daniel G, Musso A, Tsika E, Fiser A, Glauser L, Pletnikova O, Schneider BL,
Moore
DJ
. 2014.
α-Synuclein-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease occurs independent of ATP13A2 (PARK9)
Neurobiol Dis
73C:229–243.
Dusonchet J, Li H, Guillily M, Liu M, Stafa K, Derada Troletti C, Boon JY, Saha S, Glauser L, Mamais A, Citro A, Youmans KL, Liu L, Schneider BL, Aebischer P, Yue Z, Bandopadhyay R, Glicksman MA,
Moore
DJ
, Collins JJ, Wolozin B. 2014
. A Parkinson’s disease gene regulatory network identifies the signaling protein RGS2 as a modulator of LRRK2 activity and neuronal toxicity
Hum Mol Genet
23(18):4887–4905.
Daniel G,
Moore
DJ
Modeling LRRK2 pathobiology in Parkinson’s disease: From yeast to rodents
. In: Geyer M, Ellenbroek B, Marsden C, editors. Current Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; c2014.
Tsika E, Kannan M, Foo CS, Dikeman D, Glauser L, Gellhaar S, Galter D, Knott GW, Dawson TM, Dawson VL,
Moore
DJ
. 2014.
Conditional expression of Parkinson’s disease-related R1441C LRRK2 in midbrain dopamineragenic neurons of mice causes nuclear abnormalities without neurodegeneration
. Neurobiol Dis
71 C:345–358.
Tsika E, Glauser L, Moser R, Fiser A, Daniel G, Sheerin UM, Lees A, Troncoso JC, Lewis PA, Bandopadhyay R, Schneider BL,
Moore DJ.
2014.
Parkinson’s disease-linked mutations in VPS35 induce dopaminergic neurodegeneration
Hum Mol Genet
23(17):4621–4638.
Stafa K, Tsika E, Moser R, Musso A, Glauser L, Jones A, Biskup S, Xiong Y, Bandopadhyay R, Dawson VL, Dawson TM,
Moore
DJ
. 2014.
Functional interaction of Parkinson’s disease-associated LRRK2 with members of the dynamin GTPase superfamily
Hum Mol Genet
23(8):2055–2077.
Tsika E,
Moore
DJ
. 2013.
Contribution of GTPase activity to LRRK2-associated Parkinson’s disease
Small GTPases
4(3):164–170.
Biosa A, Trancikova A, Civiero L, Glauser L, Bubacco L, Greggio E,
Moore
DJ
. 2013.
GTPase activity regulates kinase activity and cellular phenotypes of Parkinson’s disease-associated LRRK2
Hum Mol Genet
22(6):1140–1156.
Trancikova A, Mamais A, Webber PJ, Stafa K, Tsika E, Glauser L, West AB, Bandopadhyay R,
Moore
DJ
. 2012.
Phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 in the mammalian brain is not altered by LRRK2 expression or pathogenic mutations
PLoS One
7(10): e47784.
Podhajska A, Musso A, Trancikova A, Stafa K, Moser R, Glauser L, Sonnay S,
Moore
DJ
. 2012.
Common pathogenic effects of missense mutations in the P-type ATPase ATP13A2 (PARK9) associated with early-onset parkinsonism
PLoS One
7(6): e39942.
Daher JP, Pletnikova O, Biskup S, Musso A, Gellhaar S, Galter D, Troncoso JC, Lee MK, Dawson TM, Dawson VL,
Moore
DJ
. 2012.
Neurodegenerative phenotypes in an A53T α-synuclein transgenic mouse model are independent of LRRK2
Hum Mol Genet
21(11):2420–2431.
Stafa K, Trancikova A, Webber PJ, Glauser L, West AB,
Moore
DJ
. 2012.
GTPase activity and neuronal toxicity of Parkinson’s disease-associated LRRK2 is regulated by ArfGAP1
PLoS Genet
8(2):e1002527.
Ramonet D, Podhajska A, Stafa K, Sonnay S, Trancikova A, Tsika E, Pletnikova O, Troncoso JC, Glauser L,
Moore
DJ
. 2012.
PARK9-associated ATP13A2 localizes to intracellular acidic vesicles and regulates cation homeostasis and neuronal integrity
Hum Mol Genet
15(21):1725–1743.
Glauser L, Sonnay S, Stafa K,
Moore
DJ
. 2011.
Parkin promotes the ubiquitination and degradation of the mitochondrial fusion factor mitofusin 1
J Neurochem
118(4):636–645.
Ramonet D, Daher JPL, Lin BM, Stafa K, Kim J, Banerjee R, Westerlund M, Pletnikova O, Glauser L, Yang L, Liu Y, Swing DA, Beal MF, Troncoso JC, McCaffery JM, Jenkins NA, Copeland NG, Galter D, Thomas B, Lee MK, Dawson TM, Dawson VL,
Moore
DJ
. 2011.
Dopaminergic neuronal loss, reduced neurite complexity and autophagic abnormalities in transgenic mice expressing G2019S mutant LRRK2
PLoS One
6(4):e18568.
Dusonchet J, Kochubey O, Stafa K, Young SM, Zufferey R,
Moore
DJ
, Schneider BL, Aebischer P. 2011.
A rat model of progressive nigral neurodegeneration induced by the Parkinson’s disease-associated G2019S mutation in LRRK2
J Neurosci
3(3):907–912.
Xiong Y, Coombes CE, Kilaru A, Li X, Gitler AD, Bowers WJ, Dawson VL, Dawson TM,
Moore
DJ
. 2010.
GTPase activity plays a key role in the pathobiology of LRRK2
PLoS Genet
6(4):e1000902.
Daher JPL, Ying M, Banerjee R, McDonald RS, Hahn MD, Yang L, Beal MF, Thomas B, Dawson VL, Dawson TM,
Moore
DJ
. 2009.
Conditional transgenic mice expressing C-terminally truncated human a-synuclein (aSyn119) exhibit reduced striatal dopamine without loss of nigrostriatal pathway dopaminergic neurons
Mol Neurodegen
4:34.
Alexis Bergsma, Ph.D.
Senior Laboratory Manager, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Xi Chen, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Ashley Douglass, B.S.
Senior Administrative Assistant II, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Maxwell Frye
Ph.D. Student, VAI Graduate School
Research focus to be determined.
Mentor:
Darren Moore, Ph.D.
Vanessa Howland
Ph.D. Student, VAI Graduate School
Research Focus: Investigating genes associated with familial Parkinson's disease
Mentor:
Darren Moore, Ph.D.
Yue Ma, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Immune therapy against prion disease
Brandon Meyerink, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Moore Laboratory
Mentor:
Darren Moore, Ph.D.
Alina Offerman
Research Technician, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Jordan Rowlands, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Moore Laboratory
Mentor:
Darren Moore, Ph.D.
Kayla Sipple
Research Technician, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Erin Williams, Ph.D.
Research Program Manager, MiND
Lab Alumni
Dylan Dues, Ph.D.
M.D.-Ph.D. Student
Valentin Cóppola-Segovia, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Lindsey Cunningham, Ph.D.
Van Andel Institute Graduate School Student
Madalynn Erb, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Clarissa Ferolla, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Josue Gonzalez, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Gabriela Mercado Guerra, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Md Shariful Islam, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Jen Kordich, M.S.
Laboratory Manager
Caroline Lee, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Nate Levine, B.S.
Research Associate
Allison Lindquist
Research Technician
Emily Mace, B.S.
Administrative Assistant II
Caio Massari, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
An Phu Tran Nguyen, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Anthony Otero, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Kim Paquette
Laboratory Project Specialist I
Steve Pierce, Ph.D.
Computational Biologist III
Andrew Pyman
Assistant Research Technician
Dorian Sargent, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Megan Senchuk, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Lucas Stetzik, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
JC van der Schans, B.S.
Lab Manager
Allie Weber
Van Andel Institute Graduate School Student
Kaitlyn Westra, B.S.
Computational Biologist I
Leslie Wyman, Ph.D.
Research Associate