Understanding how proteins and RNA cause disease
Discovering interpretable mechanisms explaining high dimensional biomolecular data
This work aims to understand how the building blocks of our bodies, proteins and RNA, fold and clump together, which can lead to diseases like Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163224 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many diseases, including Alzheimer's, are linked to how proteins and RNA molecules in our bodies fold and sometimes misfold or clump together. It's challenging to predict these behaviors, especially for proteins that don't have a fixed shape. This project uses advanced computer methods to uncover the hidden rules that govern how these molecules behave. By developing new computational tools, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of these fundamental processes. This could help us understand why certain diseases develop and how they might be treated.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational computational work does not directly involve patients, but it is relevant to individuals affected by or at risk for diseases like Alzheimer's that involve protein aggregation.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options or direct clinical intervention would not find direct benefit from participating in this basic science computational effort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide foundational insights into the causes of diseases linked to protein and RNA misfolding, potentially leading to new strategies for prevention or treatment.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon existing computational and statistical physics methods, while also introducing novel approaches like 'essence neural networks' developed by the research team.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, Milo — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Lin, Milo
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.