Tailor-Made Molecular Helpers to Stop Protein Misfolding in Alzheimer’s
Official title: Tailor-Made Molecular Chaperones to Target Protein Misfolding
Funded at California Institute of Technology · NIH-11371170 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are developing customized molecular chaperones to prevent harmful protein clumps that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, with tests in cells and animal models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $523,941 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082969-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371170 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals at risk for or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, especially those interested in future potential therapies or trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without neurodegenerative disease or without eligibility for future trials may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create evolved molecular chaperones that recognize and protect aggregation-prone proteins like amyloid-beta from misfolding. Using amyloid-beta as a model, the team will grow and test these chaperones in laboratory systems and living models to see if they reduce toxic effects. If successful, the approach could offer a new way to intervene in protein misfolding diseases beyond current options. The work combines protein engineering, in vitro assays, and in vivo studies to demonstrate proof-of-principle for a platform that could be tailored to other disease-related proteins.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies to slow or prevent neuron damage in Alzheimer’s and similar diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that targeted protein-misfolding interventions can reduce toxic effects in models, but this platform-specific approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shan, Shu-Ou — California Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Shan, Shu-Ou
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.