Finding cellular factors that help clear toxic protein clumps
Uncovering cell factors with aggregate clearance activity by scalable induced proximity
This project looks at whether bringing certain cell proteins together can help remove harmful protein clumps that contribute to Alzheimer's and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252619 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you're affected by Alzheimer's or frontotemporal dementia, researchers will test many proteins and RNAs in laboratory models to find which ones can clear toxic aggregates like TDP-43. They use special molecules that bring proteins together (similar to PROTACs) to encourage cells to break down or disassemble these clumps, and they will run scalable screens to search widely across the cell's quality-control machinery. The work is done in cell-based models at Rutgers and is preclinical, not a treatment trial. The goal is to identify new cellular factors and a platform that could guide development of multispecific drugs for future testing in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal dementia who want to support research that aims to remove toxic protein aggregates are the most relevant candidates for following this work or participating in future trials.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit now because this is early laboratory research rather than a patient treatment study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new drug strategies that remove toxic protein aggregates and ultimately slow or prevent progression of Alzheimer's and related dementias.
How similar studies have performed: Lab work using induced-proximity approaches like PROTACs has shown promise for clearing disease proteins, but large-scale screening for new cellular clearance factors and RNAs is an emerging and experimental strategy.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Serebrenik, Yevgeniy Vladimirovich — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Serebrenik, Yevgeniy Vladimirovich
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.