Understanding amyloid-beta in Alzheimer's disease
A high-throughput assay to measure amyloid-β oligomer formation
This project is creating a new way to quickly find substances that might stop harmful proteins from clumping together in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184397 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists believe that tiny clumps of a protein called amyloid-beta, known as oligomers, play a big role in causing Alzheimer's disease. While we know a lot about these clumps, there are still many questions about how they form and what they look like. This project is developing a completely new laboratory method to study how these amyloid-beta clumps form. By using a special sensor, researchers can quickly test millions of different factors to see what affects the clumping process. This will help identify agents that can specifically target these harmful clumps.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational laboratory work does not involve direct patient participation, but future clinical trials stemming from this research would seek individuals with Alzheimer's disease or those at risk.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by Alzheimer's disease would not directly benefit from this specific research, as it focuses on a mechanism unique to this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new method could significantly speed up the discovery of new drugs or treatments that prevent or break down the amyloid-beta clumps linked to Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: While previous studies have used biochemical and biophysical methods, this project proposes a novel, high-throughput genetic sensor approach that greatly diverges from historical techniques.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Tina — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Wang, Tina
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.