Alexandre de Lencastre
Professor of Biology
Director of Graduate Program in Molecular and Cell Biology
Alexandre de Lencastre
Professor of Biology
Director of Graduate Program in Molecular and Cell Biology
Alexandre de Lencastre, PhD, is a Professor of Biology, the Director of the Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) Masters Program and the co-chair of QUIP-RS (QU Interdisciplinary Program for Research and Scholarship) at Quinnipiac University. He obtained his BS in Biochemistry from Georgetown University, and completed a PhD in the lab of Dr. Anna Pyle at Columbia University and his post-doctoral training in the lab of Dr. Frank Slack at Yale University. His teaching includes Genetics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and he has an active research lab that utilizes the model organism C. elegans to study aging and neurodegeneration. Alex de Lencastre was born and raised in Portugal and moved to New York City during 10th grade in high school.
The de Lencastre lab is interested in the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and other non-coding RNAs in biology – with emphasis on roles in stress resistance during adulthood. His lab has identified miRNAs that dramatically affect animal lifespan and stress resistance. Currently, the lab is testing the molecular targets of these miRNAs and possible functions in models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. Given the high conservation of miRNAs across species, insights from this research may inform on diseases of aging in humans.
The de Lencastre lab is interested in the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and other non-coding RNAs in biology – with emphasis on roles in stress resistance during adulthood. His lab has identified miRNAs that dramatically affect animal lifespan and stress resistance. Currently, the lab is testing the molecular targets of these miRNAs and possible functions in models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. Given the high conservation of miRNAs across species, insights from this research may inform on diseases of aging in humans.
Education
- PHD, Columbia University
Areas of Expertise
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Aging
- Neurodegenerative diseases - Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease
Organization
- Biological Sciences
Office Location
- Buckman Center BC121A
Mail Drop
- BC-SCI
Courses
-
BIO 282 Genetics
Fall 2024 -
BIO 386 Environmental Studies Practicum
Spring 2025 -
BIO 515 Advanced Biochemistry
Spring 2025 -
BIO 568 Molecular and Cell Biology
Fall 2024 -
BIO 675 Comp Exam in Molecular and Cell Biology
Fall 2024 -
CHE 515 Advanced Biochemistry
Spring 2025 -
ENV 350 Environmental Studies Practicum
Spring 2025
Quinnipiac Today
Experience
Quinnipiac University
Professor of Biology
Hamden, CT, USA
2022 - Present
Quinnipiac University
Associate Professor of Biology
Hamden, CT, USA
2018 - 2022
Quinnipiac University
Assistant Professor of Biology
Hamden, CT, USA
2013 - 2018
Yale University
Post-doctoral fellow
New Haven, CT, USA
2006 - 2013
Columbia University
Doctoral Student
New York, NY, USA
1998 - 2005
Selected Publications
Peer Reviewed Journal
Regulation of TIR-1/SARM-1 by miR-71 Protects Dopaminergic Neurons in a C. elegans Model of LRRK2-Induced Parkinson’s Disease
Naidoo D., de Lencastre A.
25(16) Int. J. Mol. Sci. 8795 (2024)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Conservation and Targets of miR-71: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Naidoo N., Brennan R., and de Lencastre A
9(4) Noncoding RNA 41 Jul (2023)
Peer Reviewed Journal Article Review
Parkinson’s Disease and MicroRNAs - Lessons from Model Organisms and Human Studies
Evans B, Furlong H, and de Lencastre A
155 Experimental Gerontology 111585 November (2021)