Mapping how Alzheimer's proteins fold and clump using advanced infrared techniques
Probing protein structure and aggregation in complex environments with 2D IR spectroscopy
Using advanced two-dimensional infrared methods to see how Alzheimer's-related proteins change shape and stick together, with the goal of helping people affected by Alzheimer's disease.
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-11175415 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program develops new two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) methods and special labeled amino acids to reveal protein shapes and interactions in complex liquids. Researchers will place vibrational labels into proteins so 2D IR can measure distances and orientations between parts of the molecule. They will apply these tools to the Alzheimer's beta-amyloid (Aβ) protein in cerebrospinal fluid to study how it forms aggregates in a biologically relevant environment. The work aims to turn lab-based structural measurements into approaches that work with patient-derived samples.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include people with Alzheimer's disease or volunteers willing to provide cerebrospinal fluid or other biological samples for research.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's-related symptoms or those unable or unwilling to provide biological samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could improve understanding of how amyloid proteins form in the brain and support better diagnostics or strategies to prevent harmful clumping.
How similar studies have performed: Two-dimensional IR spectroscopy and labeled amino acids have been used to study protein structure in controlled lab settings, but applying these tools to human cerebrospinal fluid is a newer and advancing approach.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- Vanderbilt University — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buchanan, Lauren E — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Buchanan, Lauren E
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.