Understanding how a key protein helps other proteins fold correctly to prevent diseases like Alzheimer's.
Official title: Demystifying the interaction of UGGT, the ER folding gatekeeper, with its substrates and co-chaperone
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-10996959 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special protein called UGGT that helps other proteins fold correctly, which is important because when proteins misfold, it can lead to serious issues like Alzheimer's disease. By learning more about how UGGT works with other proteins, the researchers hope to find ways to prevent these problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 1F32GM156016-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996959 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related neurodegenerative conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to protein misfolding or those not at risk for Alzheimer's may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of a protein called UGGT, which is crucial for ensuring that other proteins fold into their correct shapes. Misfolded proteins can lead to serious conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. The study will explore how UGGT interacts with its substrates and a co-chaperone protein, using various cellular and biophysical techniques. By understanding these interactions better, the research aims to shed light on the mechanisms that prevent protein misfolding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating diseases associated with protein misfolding, such as Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding protein folding mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Robert V — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Williams, Robert V
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEWVEC)
A center in New England will develop and test practical ways to prevent tick bites and reduce diseases from ticks, while training public health workers and engaging communities.
-
Understanding how minority stress affects cannabis use in sexual minorities
A research project follows young adult sexual minorities to see how daily stress and coping help explain cannabis use and related problems.
-
A non-contact way to measure stiffness in hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering
A new method uses 2D acoustic force elastography microscopy to measure how stiff hydrogel scaffolds are, without touching them, to help tissue engineering efforts.
-
Automated neural identification across species and development
A computer-driven project to map and track every neuron in molluscs’ brains as they grow and evolve, to better understand how brains stay organized over time.
-
Nanopore Tweezers to Study Kinase Movements and Find Allosteric Inhibitors in Cancers
A new technology uses nanopore tweezers to watch how cancer-related kinases move in real time and to screen for drugs that stop them by binding at sites away from the active site.
-
Promesa: Urban gardens and peer nutrition to help people with HIV in the Dominican Republic
A unified program uses urban gardening and peer nutrition counseling to help people living with HIV who are food insecure in the Dominican Republic improve their health and HIV outcomes.
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.