Dr Emilie Hollville

Biography

I graduated with honours in Cellular Biology and Physiology from the University of Versailles, France before receiving my PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Paris-Saclay in 2009. Following my PhD, I obtained a postdoctoral research position at the Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. In 2015, I moved to North Carolina, USA to further gain experience in neuroscience, working as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Neuroscience Center of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I was appointed as a Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen in September 2022.

I have a particular interest in the role of programmed cell death, and more specifically a form of programmed cell death called apoptosis, in cell and tissue homeostasis. I have studied the regulation of the apoptotic machinery in various cellular models including cancer, development, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Research Overview

Mechanisms controlling brain maturation and sustaining brain health throughout life

The postnatal programs that mature the nervous system are critical to refine neuronal circuits and connectivity for the emergence of individual behaviour. The genetic factors and pathways required for neuronal maturation (e.g. synaptic development and plasticity, neurite branching and arborization) are often found affected both in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

My lab focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular pathways that support neuronal maturation and maintenance of lifelong neuronal health and survival. I am particularly interested in understanding the role played by ubiquitin ligases and programmed cell death regulators in these processes.

Relevant publications

• MicroRNA-29 is essential for brain maturation through regulation of CH methylation. Swahari V, Nakamura A, Hollville E, … , Anton ES, Greenberg ME, Deshmukh M. Cell Reports. 2021 Apr 6;35(1):108946. Link to publication
• Apoptotic Cell Death Controls in Neurons. Hollville E, Romero S, Deshmukh M. FEBS J. 2019 Sep;286(17):3276-3298. Link to publication
• Physiological functions of non-apoptotic caspase activity in the nervous system. Hollville E, Deshmukh M. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2018 Oct;82:127-136. Link to publication

Mitochondrial quality control in neurodegenerative disorders

Age-related neurodegenerative disorders affect millions of people worldwide and are characterized by impairment in cognitive and/or motor functions. These disorders develop as a result of neuronal dysfunction in the brain or in the peripheral nervous system that eventually result in neuronal death. Common features of neurodegenerative disorders are mitochondrial function failure and defective clearance of damaged mitochondria.

Mitochondria are central hubs for metabolism, energy production, cytoplasmic calcium buffering, regulation of reactive oxygen species production and inflammation. High metabolic and calcium buffering activities, such as the ones required to sustain normal neuronal function, make mitochondria particularly prone to damage. Cells have developed a quality control mechanism for the targeted elimination of impaired mitochondria by autophagy, a process called mitophagy.

I am interested in understanding the interactions between neuronal activity and function and the mitochondrial quality control pathways.

Relevant publications

• Characterization of a Cul9 – Parkin double knockout mouse model for Parkinson’s disease. Hollville E, Joers V, Nakamura A, Swahari V, Tansey MG, Moy SS, Deshmukh M. Scientific Reports. 2020 Oct 9;10(1):16886. Link to publication
• Bcl-2 Family Proteins Participate in Mitochondrial Quality Control by Regulating Parkin/PINK1-Dependent Mitophagy. Hollville E, Carroll RG, Cullen SP, Martin SJ. Mol Cell. 2014 Aug 7;55(3):451-66. Link to publication
• Parkin Sensitizes Towards Apoptosis Induced by Mitochondrial Depolarization Through Promoting Degradation of Mcl-1. Carroll RG, Hollville E, Martin SJ. Cell Reports. 2014 Nov 20; 9(4):1538–1553. Link to publication

Funding and Grants

Grants: 

• Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard award (2024/26)
• The Royal Society Research Grant (2023/24)

Studentships/Fellowships:

• UKRI BBSRC EASTBIO PhD Studentship (2023/27)
• Development Trust SCIO PhD Studentship (2023/27)

Teaching Responsibilities

• SM2501 - Research Skills for Medical Sciences
• SM4501 - Medical Sciences Honours project
• MB5518 - Masters Research tutorials
• MB5904 - Masters Research Project