Cell pathways that make and clear prion proteins
Mapping Molecular Pathways that Control Prion Metabolism
Researchers are using gene-editing screens in lab-grown brain cells to find the cellular steps that cause harmful prion proteins for people with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and related prion illnesses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143066 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing and sensitive fluorescent sorting in brain-derived CAD5 cells to detect both normal prion protein (PrPC) and misfolded infectious prions (PrPSc). The team will knock out genes across the genome in infected cells and see which changes raise or lower prion levels. By mapping which genes and pathways control prion production, trafficking, and degradation, they will identify the rate-limiting steps of prion formation and clearance. The results aim to point to the most promising molecular targets for future drug development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This grant does not enroll patients directly, but its findings are most relevant to people affected by Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and other human prion disorders.
Not a fit: Because this is laboratory-based basic research, patients needing immediate therapies or those with non-prion neurodegenerative diseases are unlikely to receive direct, near-term benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets for drugs that block prion formation or boost prion clearance, helping to slow or prevent prion diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Genome-wide CRISPR screens have successfully revealed disease pathways in other fields, and applying such screens to prion-infected cells is a novel but plausible extension.
Where this research is happening
Hanover, United States
- Dartmouth College — Hanover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Supattapone, Surachai — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Supattapone, Surachai
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.