Sensors to find and gently control protein clumps inside cells
Multifunctional phase sensors for probing and manipulation of intracellular biomolecular condensates
This project develops tiny sensors to spot and gently alter protein assemblies inside cells that are linked to brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and ALS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11014666 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will design molecular sensors that detect and report when intrinsically disordered proteins form droplet-like assemblies inside cells and tissues. The sensors are built to work in normal cellular environments without disturbing protein behavior, and some designs will allow gentle manipulation of those assemblies to see how cells respond. Experiments will use cell systems and disease-model tissues related to Alzheimer's and ALS to map how these protein condensates form and change. The work aims to close the gap between lab biophysics and disease mechanisms so future therapies can target harmful protein assemblies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with Alzheimer's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who are willing to provide tissue or biospecimens or participate in related future studies would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People without neurodegenerative brain disorders or whose conditions are driven by non–protein-assembly mechanisms (for example, purely vascular causes) are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these tools could reveal how harmful protein assemblies form in brain diseases and point to new targets for treatments that stop or reverse damage.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory work has shown protein phase separation is important in cells, but tools that non-disruptively probe and manipulate these condensates in native tissues are relatively new and still being developed.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garcia Quiroz, Felipe — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Garcia Quiroz, Felipe
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.