Mapping how PARylation controls harmful protein clumping in Alzheimer’s
A Chemical Footprinting Approach towards Poly-ADP-Ribosylation-regulated Biomolecular Condensation
Using a chemical mapping method to understand how a protein modification called PARylation drives harmful protein clumps in brains affected by Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235883 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will develop and apply a chemical "footprinting" technique to detect where and how PARylation (a chemical tag on proteins) influences protein phase transitions and condensate formation linked to neurodegeneration. The work will combine biochemical mapping, structural analyses, and cell and animal models that mimic aspects of Alzheimer's and related dementias. Results will show which proteins and structural features are altered by PARylation and how those changes promote toxic clumping. This mechanistic knowledge is intended to reveal molecular points where future treatments or protective strategies might intervene.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who are interested in contributing clinical samples or joining biomarker/sample-collection efforts would be most relevant to this project.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate new therapy or those without Alzheimer-related conditions are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this laboratory-focused grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets or strategies to prevent or reduce toxic protein clumps and protect brain cells in Alzheimer's and related dementias.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies show that reducing PARP1 activity can protect neurons and PARP inhibitors are approved for certain cancers, but applying chemical footprinting to PARylation in Alzheimer's is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Yonghao — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Yu, Yonghao
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.