Why proteins fold the wrong way and how cells fix them
Cellular Mechanisms and Consequences of Protein Misfolding and Resolution
This work looks at how protein clumps called amyloids form and are cleared, to help people with amyloid-linked conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and some forms of diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184190 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use baker's yeast as a simple, controllable model to recreate how proteins misfold and assemble into amyloid clumps. They change protein sequences and the cell's quality-control systems and then watch when clumps form, break apart, or spread. The team combines genetics, cell biology, and biochemical tracking to follow aggregate behavior and its effects on cells. Lessons from yeast are used to pinpoint steps that could be targeted in human amyloid diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with amyloid-related disorders—such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or type 2 diabetes with islet amyloid—are the groups most likely to benefit from advances informed by this research.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to protein misfolding or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal ways to prevent or remove harmful protein clumps, which might slow or stop diseases tied to amyloid.
How similar studies have performed: Using yeast prions to study amyloid formation is a well-established approach that has clarified basic mechanisms, but translating those findings into effective human therapies has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Serio, Tricia R. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Serio, Tricia R.
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.