Mapping how prion proteins are made, moved, and cleared in brain cells
Official title: Mapping Molecular Pathways that Control Prion Metabolism
Funded at Dartmouth College · NIH-11417023 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to map the cellular pathways that control prion proteins in neurons to better understand diseases like CJD and scrapie.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $753,093 |
| NIH project number | 4R37NS125431-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417023 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not patient-facing in this project, but insights could eventually inform therapies for patients with prion diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not immediate; the study is a basic science investigation in cell models.
What this research studies
This project uses human-like brain cell models to map how prion proteins PrPC and PrPSc are produced, moved inside cells, and degraded. It will apply CRISPR/Cas9 genome-wide screening in prion-infected cells to identify key steps that control prion levels. The goal is to identify bottlenecks and potential drug targets that could slow or stop prion-related neurodegeneration. The research builds on new cell sorting methods to accurately measure both normal and disease-associated prion proteins. Findings could lay the groundwork for therapies that prevent prion formation or promote clearance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets for drugs that slow or halt prion disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary cell-based CRISPR screens have shown promise in mapping protein-processing pathways; this study advances that approach in prion biology.
Where this research is happening
-
Dartmouth College
Hanover, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Supattapone, Surachai — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Supattapone, Surachai
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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.