UFM1's role in tau pathology and Alzheimer’s disease, explored with innovative gene tools
Official title: UFM1 as a Modifier of Tau Pathology in Alzheimer Disease and Related Tauopathies
Funded at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville · NIH-11423821 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Mayo Clinic team will study how UFM1 affects tau buildup in Alzheimer’s and related tau diseases, using new CRISPR methods to see if changing UFMylation can protect brain cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $522,463 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG102578-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423821 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with Alzheimer’s disease dementia or related tauopathies whose brain samples can be analyzed and who may be eligible for future trials involving UFMylation-targeting approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage basic research may not immediately benefit patients, and results depend on confirming mechanisms in humans.
What this research studies
This grant investigates whether UFM1, a protein modification tag, drives tau-related damage in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies. Researchers will examine human brain tissue to map UFM1 activity across tauopathies and use CRISPR interference/activation to modulate UFMylation in animal models. They aim to uncover the molecular steps by which UFM1 influences tau biology and test whether altering UFM1 can reduce neurodegeneration in vivo. The work builds on preliminary data linking UFM1 levels to tau pathology and seeks translational relevance for therapies targeting UFMylation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could point to new therapeutic strategies that slow or prevent tau-driven brain damage in Alzheimer’s and related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show a link between UFM1 and tau pathology, with cell studies suggesting that reducing UFMylation decreases tau aggregation; in vivo confirmation is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Jacksonville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fiesel, Fabienne Cecile — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Fiesel, Fabienne Cecile
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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.