Developing new protein treatments to reduce harmful protein clumping in neurodegenerative diseases.
Official title: Protein therapeutics inspired by importins
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11010982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain proteins can help stop or break apart the clumping of other proteins that can cause diseases like ALS, with the hope of finding new treatments to help people with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $213,659 |
| NIH project number | 7R21NS128396-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neurodegenerative diseases not characterized by protein aggregation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain proteins, known as importins, can help prevent or reverse the clumping of other proteins that is associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The team will explore the biological mechanisms behind this process using advanced techniques in protein biochemistry and structural biology. By understanding how importins function, they aim to create new therapeutic proteins that can effectively target and disaggregate harmful protein aggregates in affected neurons. This innovative approach could lead to significant advancements in treatment options for patients suffering from ALS and similar conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that slow down or even reverse the progression of neurodegenerative diseases by targeting and clearing toxic protein aggregates.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using importins for therapeutic purposes is innovative, similar strategies targeting protein aggregation have shown promise in other research, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cingolani, Gino — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Cingolani, Gino
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.