How membrane shape guides cholesterol and Alzheimer’s amyloid pieces
Official title: Intrinsic curvature induced packing heterogeneity and non-uniform distribution of cholesterol and Abeta peptide in lipid bilayers
Funded at California State University Northridge · NIH-11118861 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how tiny changes in cell membrane shape influence where cholesterol and a toxic piece of Alzheimer’s amyloid beta settle, which may help people affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California State University Northridge NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Northridge, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $108,750 |
| NIH project number | 5SC3GM144158-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11118861 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, or a family history of Alzheimer’s and their caregivers may be interested in following these findings.
✕Less likely to help
This is a laboratory, preclinical project and does not offer direct treatment, clinical visits, or immediate medical benefit to patients.
What this research studies
Researchers use lab-made cell membranes composed of different lipids to see how membrane curvature and packing change when fats with different shapes are mixed. They apply a polarity-sensitive dye (Laurdan) and a new fluorescence method that sharpens overlapping signals to tell apart tightly packed (blue) and loosely packed (red) membrane regions. The team tracks where cholesterol and the neurotoxic Aβ25–35 peptide locate as membranes reorganize, to learn whether amyloid pieces preferentially enter less packed or flatter regions. Results could clarify early membrane interactions that contribute to Alzheimer’s-related toxicity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal membrane-based mechanisms of amyloid toxicity and point to new targets for preventing or reducing harmful amyloid–membrane interactions in Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior laboratory studies have shown amyloid beta interacts with cell membranes, but this project uses a novel fluorescence approach and focuses specifically on curvature-driven packing heterogeneity, which is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
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California State University Northridge
Northridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ranganathan, Radha — California State University Northridge
- Study coordinator: Ranganathan, Radha
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.