How prion-like parts of proteins form healthy or harmful clumps in ALS and frontotemporal dementia
Functional and Pathological Assembly of Prion-like Domains
This work looks at how prion-like pieces of proteins make normal assemblies or harmful clumps that can contribute to ALS and frontotemporal dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260226 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view, the researchers study special "prion-like" parts of human proteins that can stick together and form different kinds of assemblies. They examine how these parts are brought into structures such as stress granules and how disease-linked mutations change the assemblies' behavior and stability. The team uses lab-grown cells, purified protein experiments, and advanced imaging to watch how assemblies form, dissolve, or convert into stable aggregates. The goal is to understand which protein features and mutations push assemblies from healthy, reversible states into harmful, disease-associated clumps.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ALS or frontotemporal dementia, or those with genetic mutations tied to protein-aggregation, would be most directly relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to protein-aggregation disorders or those unable to provide samples are unlikely to see direct benefit from this lab-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets to prevent or reverse harmful protein clumping in ALS and frontotemporal dementia, enabling future therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown prion-like domains can form aggregates in ALS/FTD, but applying that knowledge to effective treatments is still early and largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Fort Collins, United States
- Colorado State University — Fort Collins, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ross, Eric D — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Ross, Eric D
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.