Scientists develop algorithm to understand certain human diseases | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Scientists develop algorithm to understand certain human diseases Scientists develop algorithm to understand certain human diseases Published: June 15, 2011 Author: Marissa Gebhard Patricia Clark, the Rev. John Cardinal O’Hara, C.S.C. Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame, and Bonnie Berger, professor of applied mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have published a paper on the development of a computer algorithm that can accurately predict which parts of protein sequences help prevent the proteins from aggregating. Their article, the second published by the interdisciplinary research team, was submitted to the journal Proceeding of the National Academy of Science USA. The experimental work was completed at Notre Dame in Clark’s laboratory with Berger testing the computational predictions in her lab. Protein aggregation occurs when the long linear sequence of a protein misfolds and begins to interact with copies of itself, thus preventing it from performing its essential functions in the cell. Clark and Berger found that aggregation-resistant proteins tend to possess “capping” structures at either end of their correctly folded structure. However, if a “cap” is removed, the remaining protein aggregates quickly. Proteins known to be highly prone to aggregation do not contain said capping structures, a finding that could help predict which proteins along with which genetic mutations will likely lead to aggregation. Misfolding and aggregation can lead to numerous diseases ranging from juvenile cataracts to cystic fibrosis and cancer. Aggregated proteins can also form toxic structures known as amyloid fibers, which are linked to Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Lou Gehrig’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. The two hope that by studying the mechanisms that can lead to aggregation as well as the structural features that some proteins possess that help avoid aggregation, strategies can be discovered to help treat aggregation diseases. Contact: Patricia Clark, 574-631-8353, pclark1@nd.edu Posted In: Research Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 05, 2022 Astrophysicists find evidence for the presence of the first stars October 04, 2022 NIH awards $4 million grant to psychologists researching suicide prevention September 29, 2022 Notre Dame, Ukrainian Catholic University launch three new research grants September 27, 2022 Notre Dame, Trinity College Dublin engineers join to advance novel treatment for cystic fibrosis September 22, 2022 Climate-prepared countries are losing ground, latest ND-GAIN index shows For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn