Parkinson-related protein is 'tunable'

Fibrils of the protein alpha-synuclein, that plays a role in Parkinson's disease, form a stiffer and stronger network in water, when temperature is increased. Researchers of the University of Twente show that this has to do with the water-repellent part of the fibres coming to the surface and interacting. The mechanism could also play a role in the interaction with healthy cells. Researchers of the University of Twente publish about it in Physical Review Letters of May 17.