Understanding how ALS-related proteins form phase-separated aggregates
Official title: Understanding the Sequence and Structural Determinants of Phase Behavior of ALS-Causing Proteins
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11450000 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how brain-protecting particles called stress granules form and behave in diseases like ALS and Alzheimer’s to find new ways to slow or stop disease progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $697,992 |
| NIH project number | 2R01NS121114-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450000 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with ALS, FTD, or Alzheimer’s disease could potentially benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefits may not be immediate; the study is foundational and may not involve treating individuals.
What this research studies
This project looks at the proteins involved in stress granules and how they interact with RNA to form condensates that may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, FTD, and AD. By examining the roles of RNA-binding motifs and low-complexity domains, the research aims to uncover how these interactions influence phase separation and potentially buffering or worsening cellular stress. The work involves advanced molecular and biophysical analyses to map how different proteins promote or limit condensate formation in disease-relevant contexts. Findings could point to targets for therapies that modulate stress granule behavior in patients. Participation would revolve around labs and analyses, with potential future implications for patient trials and biomarker development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Advancing understanding of disease mechanisms could lead to new therapeutic strategies for ALS, FTD, and Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Similar work has shown that stress granule components influence disease-related protein aggregation, indicating this approach has precedent but remains an active area.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mittag, Tanja — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Mittag, Tanja
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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.