How cellular helper proteins guide protein folding and movement
Coordination of chaperone interactions that dictate protein folding and trafficking
This research looks at how cellular helper proteins control the folding and movement of proteins that can misfold in Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis, and related diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260145 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective, researchers are mapping when and how 'chaperone' helper proteins bind to disease-linked proteins to help them fold correctly or send them to the right place in the cell. They will use chemical biology tools and time-resolved proteomics to capture protein interactions as they happen. The team studies disease-associated protein variants linked to Alzheimer's and cystic fibrosis to understand why some proteins become misfolded or are sent for degradation. Much of the work is lab-based at Vanderbilt and may connect findings to patient-derived samples to make the results more relevant to human disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or cystic fibrosis who are willing to donate samples or be considered for future related studies would be the best matches.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate symptom relief or an available treatment trial are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets or strategies to prevent or remove misfolded proteins, which may lead to future treatments for Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis, and similar disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Related proteostasis research has produced effective CFTR-correcting drugs for cystic fibrosis and advanced understanding of neurodegeneration, but the specific time-resolved mapping of chaperone interactions is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- Vanderbilt University — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Plate, Lars — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Plate, Lars
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.