Lena was able to identify a toxic biochemical cascade in dopaminergic neurons that is caused by a biochemical change in dopamine. She discovered that large amounts of biochemically altered dopamine, which is more toxic than normal dopamine, are produced in patient neurons (generated from induced pluripotent stem cells). This pathological dopamine can bind proteins, change their structure, and impair their function. It can lead to nerve cell death in the long term, for example in age-related diseases. Using the example of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase, this harmful modification by reactive dopamine has been shown to contribute to reduced enzyme activity, lysosomal dysfunction, and, ultimately, cell-damaging changes. Together with renowned chemists, she researched a possible causal therapeutic approach to interrupt this toxic cascade. They developed "small molecules" that activate the lysosomal glucocerebrosidase, reducing the pathological dopamine and cell damage. Together with her research team, Lena is currently investigating the sources of these biochemical changes in dopamine to expand possible therapeutic interventions. She is also working on the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in very rare, mostly pediatric, and lethal NBIA diseases (Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation).
