Mass spectrometry to reveal lysosome problems in frontotemporal dementia
Development of Mass Spectrometry Strategies to Decipher Dynamic Lysosomal Dysfunctions in Frontotemporal Dementia
This project develops new lab methods to find how lysosomes malfunction in neurons from people with frontotemporal dementia caused by progranulin loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11058368 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will build mass spectrometry–based proteomics and proximity-labeling tools to map which proteins interact with lysosomes over time in human neurons made from patient-derived stem cells. They will compare neurons with normal progranulin to neurons lacking progranulin to see how lysosomal composition, interactions, and degradative activity change. The team combines advanced MS measurements with cell biology experiments to capture dynamic and transient lysosomal events that standard methods miss. The goal is to pinpoint pathways that go wrong when progranulin is missing and to highlight possible targets for future drugs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with frontotemporal dementia—especially those with GRN gene mutations or progranulin deficiency—and family members willing to donate cells or biological samples would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People with unrelated types of dementia or conditions not linked to lysosomal or progranulin dysfunction are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify druggable pathways and new targets that lead to therapies for frontotemporal dementia.
How similar studies have performed: Proteomics and lysosome research exist, but applying high-throughput proximity labeling and dynamic mass spectrometry to human iPSC-derived neurons for progranulin-related FTD is relatively new and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
College Park, United States
- Univ of Maryland, College Park — College Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hao, Ling — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Hao, Ling
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.