Non-Invasive Protein Trapping Method Developed

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed a novel method for studying proteins that form clumps in diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. These clumps, implicated in various challenging-to-treat conditions, have been difficult to study. The newly devised technique, described in a Nature Communications paper, involves capturing many proteins in nano-sized traps, enabling unprecedented insights into their behavior.

Led by Professor Andreas Dahlin, the team believes their method holds significant potential for enhancing understanding of early and critical processes in different diseases. By creating the world's smallest gates that can be opened and closed at the touch of a button, the researchers can trap proteins inside nanoscale chambers. This prevents the proteins from escaping, extending the observation time from one millisecond to at least one hour. The method also facilitates the enclosure of several hundred proteins in a small volume, a crucial aspect for deeper comprehension.

"The clumps that we want to see and understand better consist of hundreds of proteins, so if we are to study them, we need to be able to trap such large quantities. The high concentration in the small volume means that the proteins naturally bump into each other, which is a major advantage of our new method," says Dahlin. 

The gates, made of polymer brushes, are positioned at the entrances of nano-sized chambers. Through a specific chemical treatment, proteins in a liquid solution are attracted to the chamber walls. Closing the gates releases the proteins from the walls, allowing them to move toward each other within the traps. This setup enables the study of individual protein clumps, providing more detailed information than studying multiple clumps simultaneously.

To apply this technique to the study of specific diseases, further development is necessary. The traps must be adapted to attract proteins associated with the particular disease of interest. The researchers are currently planning which proteins are most suitable for study.