Entanglement

Entanglement bears witness to the lives of Camille and Jason. They both loived with very different experiences of their schizophrenia diagnosis. Jason. diagnoses at 14 and Camille at 21. Today, they are in love. This immersive experience reveals their first encounters with the illness: How it hurt him, how it saved her, and how they eventually got entangled with each other. Abstract imagery that represents their experiences. Sound transport inward to their thoughts. Space that brings the disjunction of several realities. This is only a narrative of two people out of 24 million people diagnosed in the world. There is not one schizophrenia but shared realities with the other millions. Typically, the onset of the illness occurs in the late adolescence. It is important that Entanglement appeals to young adults to address the stigma by revealing the truths of Jason and Camille, living independently and with dreams of a future together.

About Afaf's reaserch:

Afaf's research focuses on neurological diseases, especially Schizophrenia, which affects nearly 24 million people worldwide. Several studies have shown that, in the brain, the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors are involved in memory and learning process and their hypofunction can be associated with Schizophrenia symptoms. Moreover, a direct activation of these receptors, with small therapeutic molecules, can generate strong side effects. To avoid this, Afaf’s research aims to target a new protein called the Asc-1 transporter. Indeed, this protein carries some specific amino acid (D-serine, glycine) which ensure the proper functioning of the NMDA receptor. Using molecular dynamics modelling, Afaf first built different models of the transporter and then simulated each step of the transport mechanism of the amino acids. This basic understanding is beginning to uncover new therapeutics avenues for restoring the normal functions of the Asc-1 transporter, and thus provide benefits for alleviating Schizophrenia symptoms.