Proteomics study on N-terminal acetylation in Alzheimer's disease vesicles
Official title: Proteomic interrogation of N-terminal acetylation on misfolded proteins in extracellular vesicles
Funded at Purdue University · NIH-11432125 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will use advanced mass spectrometry to study how a common protein modification in brain cells relates to Alzheimer’s disease and the spread of disease-related proteins via extracellular vesicles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $387,183 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG102887-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11432125 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or at risk for AD, and control individuals providing brain tissue or blood-derived samples for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without AD or related conditions may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project aims to map N-terminal acetylation patterns in brain cells and circulating extracellular vesicles from people with Alzheimer’s disease and compare them to healthier samples. By developing new proteomics methods, the team hopes to link specific Nt-acetylation changes to protein misfolding and disease progression. The work involves primary neuron cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, brain tissue, and patient-derived samples to understand how these modifications might drive disease and spread within the brain. The outcomes could identify new biomarkers and set the stage for targeted strategies in AD care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to biomarkers that indicate disease onset or progression and pave the way for therapies that limit harmful protein aggregation and spread.
How similar studies have gone: Previous proteomics studies have shown Nt-acetylation is linked to protein stability and disease processes, but this project adds novel links to EV-mediated propagation in AD.
Where this research is happening
-
Purdue University
West Lafayette, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tao, W. Andy — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Tao, W. Andy
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.