Understanding how specific proteins help manage cellular stress and protein aggregation
Official title: Mechanistic insight to the interaction between AAA+ disaggregases and the Hsp70 molecular chaperone system
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10902929 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called Hsp104 works with another protein system to help keep our cells healthy by breaking down harmful clumps of proteins that can cause diseases like Alzheimer's, and it aims to find ways to boost Hsp104's activity to help with these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $76,744 |
| NIH project number | 1F32GM154439-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10902929 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for or diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases linked to protein aggregation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to protein aggregation or cellular stress responses may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the interaction between a protein called Hsp104 and the Hsp70 molecular chaperone system, which are crucial for maintaining protein health in cells. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to uncover how these proteins work together to dissolve harmful protein aggregates that can lead to neurodegenerative diseases. The research focuses on understanding the mechanisms that enhance the activity of Hsp104, which is vital for cellular stress responses. This could provide insights into potential therapeutic strategies for conditions associated with protein misfolding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases by improving our understanding of protein aggregation and cellular stress responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding protein aggregation and chaperone systems, indicating that this approach has potential for significant breakthroughs.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Flores, Rachel L — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Flores, Rachel L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How cancer cells use exosomes to evade the immune system
This study is looking at how cancer cells use tiny bubbles called exosomes to hide proteins that can keep your immune system from fighting the tumor, and by figuring this out, the researchers hope to help doctors understand why some people respond well to cancer treatments while others don’t, ultimately aiming to creat
-
Reducing harm from smoking using electronic cigarettes
This study is looking at whether using electronic cigarettes can be a safer option for people who smoke traditional cigarettes, by comparing the health effects and exposure to harmful substances between the two.
-
Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis
This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.
-
Cutaneous opioid signals in skin inflammation
A mentor-identified clinician-researcher at UCSF is studying how natural skin opioids regulate itch and pain in inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and hidradenitis, with plans to map where these opioids come from and how they affect skin nerves.
-
Pooling international data to understand long-term bisphosphonate use and atypical femur fractures
This project combines large patient datasets from multiple countries to understand how long-term bisphosphonate use relates to rare hip and thigh bone fractures, helping doctors and patients make safer treatment choices.
-
Airway cell and immune cell talks in lung transplant failure
This grant tests how airway cells and immune cells interact to drive chronic rejection after lung transplant, with the goal of slowing or preventing scar-like damage.
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.