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Parkinson's disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions worldwide, causing debilitating motor symptoms, cognitive decline, and neurodegeneration. A team of researchers led by Dr. Xiaobo Mao at Johns Hopkins University may have found a game-changing solution.
Dr. Xiaobo Mao, associate professor of neurology at the Institute for Cell Engineering at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, is a renowned researcher in this field. Dr. Mao has developed a groundbreaking series of nanobodies that can specifically recognize and target alpha-synuclein aggregates.
Dr. Mao and his collaborators have developed a revolutionary nanobody that can target the root cause of Parkinson's - the misshapen and clumped protein alpha-synuclein inside the cells. In initial studies, this novel nanobody, called PFFNB2, was able to disrupt and destabilize existing alpha-synuclein aggregates, clearing out up to 80% of the harmful protein.
Unlike traditional approaches, PFFNB2 can reach and act on alpha-synuclein inside brain cells, where the pathogenic spread of this protein is believed to drive disease progression. Preliminary results in mouse models have shown that PFFNB2 can prevent the spreading of alpha-synuclein clumps to crucial brain regions like the cortex, which is responsible for cognition, movement, and other high-order functions.
Building upon these promising results, Dr. Mao and his collaborators are now working on the development of a second generation of nanobodies with enhanced efficacy. Preliminary findings suggest that the next-generation nanobody exhibits a 2.5-fold increase in efficacy compared to the first-generation PFFNB2. This promising result underscores its potential as a therapeutic intervention across various Parkinson's disease models.
We need your support. Join us in our mission to conquer Parkinson's disease and make a lasting impact on the lives of those affected by this debilitating condition. Together, we can make history and pave the way for a brighter future.
Read more about Dr. Mao's career and current research at
-Xiaobo Mao Lab: https://chonggemao.wixsite.com/jhmi
-Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/profiles/details/xiaobo-mao
-Johns Hopkins Institute for Nanobiotechnology: https://inbt.jhu.edu/people/xiaobo-mao/
Donations to this nanobody research at Johns Hopkins University are tax deductible if you itemize in the US.
If you have questions about or need assistance with making a contribution, please contact Andrew Rohleder, Assistant Director of Development, at arohled1@jh.edu
