Unlocking Cellular Secrets: UB Biophysicist Secures Major NIH Grant for Groundbreaking Droplet Research

Imagine tiny, dynamic compartments within our cells, forming and dissolving like oil droplets in water. These aren't just fascinating cellular quirks; they're vital hubs of life, and their malfunction can lead to devastating diseases. Now, thanks to a substantial new grant, University at Buffalo biophysicist M.

M. Mofrad is poised to dive deeper into these enigmatic structures, unlocking secrets that could reshape our understanding of health and disease.

Known as protein-RNA droplets, these membraneless organelles are formed through a process called liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Far from static, they dynamically organize a cell's interior, orchestrating everything from gene expression to stress responses.

They're like bustling micro-factories, bringing specific molecules together to perform critical tasks with precision.

When these delicate droplets go awry, the consequences can be profound. Dysregulation of LLPS is increasingly linked to a spectrum of debilitating conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS, various cancers, and even how our bodies fight off viral infections.

Understanding their dysfunction is a critical frontier in biomedical research.

Mofrad, an associate professor of biomedical engineering in UB's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, has secured a prestigious five-year, $2.2 million R01 grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This significant funding empowers his team to meticulously investigate the fundamental mechanisms governing these crucial cellular structures.

What makes Mofrad’s research particularly innovative is its "integrative approach." His lab doesn't just look at one piece of the puzzle; they combine cutting-edge experimental techniques with sophisticated computational modeling.

This includes single-molecule imaging and biochemical assays to observe droplets in action, alongside molecular dynamics simulations and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to predict and analyze their behavior at an unprecedented resolution.

A central focus of Mofrad's ambitious project is to decipher how the unique sequence and structure of RNA molecules influence the formation, stability, and dynamic properties of these protein-RNA droplets.

By understanding these intricate molecular interactions, researchers can begin to predict how specific genetic variations might predispose individuals to disease or influence therapeutic responses.

This high-impact research also benefits from synergistic collaborations, including partnerships with Dr.

S. M. Stachowiak from UB's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and Dr. A. K. Routh at Case Western Reserve University, bringing diverse expertise to this complex biological challenge.

Ultimately, the insights gleaned from Mofrad's investigation promise to do more than just deepen our fundamental biological knowledge.

They hold the potential to identify novel therapeutic targets, paving the way for groundbreaking strategies to combat a range of devastating diseases by precisely modulating the behavior of these remarkable cellular droplets. It's a journey into the very heart of cellular life, with profound implications for human health.