Tracking the emergence of tau aggregation
Developing next-generation assays to detect MTBR-tau and soluble tau aggregates.
The problem
What's the challenge, and why is it so hard to solve?
Current blood-based tau biomarkers primarily measure soluble phosphorylated tau species, but may not fully capture tau aggregation, a central pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. Biomarkers that more directly reflect the formation and accumulation of pathological tau assemblies are needed to better track disease progression and therapeutic response.
Our approach
How are we tackling the challenge?
We pursue complementary mass spectrometry and immunoassay approaches to study tau aggregation. Using a novel tagging strategy, our mass spectrometry platform selectively labels tau aggregates, enabling their distinction from soluble tau. In parallel, we develop ultra-sensitive blood-based assays targeting aggregation-associated tau species, including MTBR-tau and soluble tau aggregates. By focusing on tau forms that emerge during the aggregation process, we aim to create biomarkers that provide a closer link to the underlying biology of tau pathology.
Why it matters
What difference could this make for patients and society?
The accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles is closely linked to cognitive decline and disease severity in Alzheimer's disease. By measuring tau species associated with the aggregation process, our assays may provide a more direct window into the progression of tau pathology, enabling improved disease staging, monitoring, and assessing therapeutic response.
What's next
Once we've solved this, what do we want to explore next?
We are evaluating these biomarkers across diverse clinical cohorts and investigating how they relate to brain tau pathology, disease progression, and treatment response.
Key publications
Where can I read more?
Team
Who's working on this?