Exploratory research on suppression of amyloid β aggregation by Auger electrons

Principal Investigator

Masahiro Ono
Professor, Kyoto University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Amyloid-β protein (Aβ) aggregates constitutes one of the important target molecules in the diagnosis and therapy of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, the following steps will be performed: (1) introduction of a short-range, high-energy Auger electron-emitting nuclide into an Aβ probe developed by our group, (2) binding of the probe to Aβ aggregates after in vivo administration, (3) degradation of Aβ aggregates by Auger electrons emitted from the probe bound to Aβ aggregates, and (4) degradation of Aβ aggregates without affecting other parts of the Aβ aggregates. I will challenge the creation of AD therapies with low risk of side effects through novel approaches that have never been attempted before.