Rapid protein deletion in brain neurons
Official title: Development of a Rapid Protein Deletion Platform for central nervous system neurons
Funded at Texas A&m Agrilife Research · NIH-11456646 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new tool aims to quickly remove specific proteins from adult brain neurons to study how they work and to help respond to acute brain injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m Agrilife Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $432,061 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EY039508-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11456646 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with conditions affecting CNS neurons could potentially benefit from future applications or trials using this technology.
✕Less likely to help
This early-stage technology is focused on tool development and may not directly benefit patients in the short term.
What this research studies
This project will create a fast, reversible method to delete chosen proteins in adult CNS neurons using engineered protein degraders that trigger the cell’s proteasome system. The degraders are delivered into neurons with specialized peptides that allow them to work inside the brain safely. Researchers will test whether this approach can remove target proteins in less than an hour, enabling study of dynamic neural processes. If successful, the platform could be used to explore how proteins control neuron function and may have translational potential for acute neurological events like traumatic injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from new ways to study and possibly treat acute brain injuries by rapidly modulating protein activity in neurons.
How similar studies have gone: Similar protein-degradation strategies have shown promise in cells and model systems, but translating to CNS neurons is an area of active research.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m Agrilife Research
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pellois, Jean-Philippe — Texas A&m Agrilife Research
- Study coordinator: Pellois, Jean-Philippe
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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.