Angelo Poletti | Decoding the Biology of Ageing | Milan Longevity Summit 2026

*Autophagy as a Defense Mechanism Against Proteotoxicity in Motor Neuron Disease* -- How do our cells protect themselves from the accumulation of damaged and toxic proteins? In this session from *Decoding the Biology of Ageing* at the *Milan Longevity Summit 2026*, *Professor Angelo Poletti* explores the role of autophagy, one of the cell's fundamental quality-control mechanisms, in protecting motor neurons from proteotoxic stress and degeneration. The accumulation of misfolded or aggregated proteins is a hallmark of many age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Professor Poletti examines how cells identify and remove these harmful proteins, why these protective systems can become less effective with age, and how strengthening cellular clearance pathways could open new therapeutic possibilities for motor neuron diseases and other neurodegenerative conditions. Professor Angelo Poletti is Full Professor at the *University of Milan* and an internationally recognised researcher in molecular neurobiology and neurodegeneration. His work focuses on protein quality control, autophagy, proteostasis, and the molecular mechanisms underlying motor neuron diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. His research helps uncover how failures in cellular defence systems contribute to neuronal ageing and disease. The Milan Longevity Summit brings together global leaders across science, medicine, policy, business, technology and society to rethink the future of health through a One Health perspective—recognising that the wellbeing of people, planet and economies is deeply interconnected. Learn more about the Milan Longevity Summit: https://www.milanlongevitysummit.org/it/speakers26/angelo-poletti #MilanLongevitySummit #Longevity #OneHealth #AngeloPoletti #Autophagy #Proteostasis #Neurodegeneration #MotorNeuronDisease #HealthyAgeing #Geroscience