Engineering Professor Publishes New Discovery in Alzheimer's Disease Research
Sachin Patil, professor of chemical engineering, and his team of student-researchers in the NanoBio Lab recently published findings to advance the future Alzheimer's disease treatment and prevention. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Molecules, identified Isobavachin, a natural flavonoid, as a potential "structure corrector" for Apolipoprotein E4, known as ApoE4, which is the strongest genetic risk factor for the disease. The breakthrough discovery suggests that Isobavachin can stabilize the problematic ApoE4 protein, potentially reducing its harmful effects and altering the course of Alzheimer’s disease.
Through the use of a cutting-edge combination of computational modeling and lab experiments, the researchers found that Isobavachin binds to ApoE4, reshaping it into a more stable form—similar to the neutral or protective ApoE3 and ApoE2 variants. The team noted that Isobavachin is a naturally occurring compound, derived from a plant used in traditional medicine, that is also bioavailable, meaning it has the potential to cross the blood-brain barrier. Both characteristics make this discovery particularly exciting as they show promise for future drug discovery and hope for the millions of people affected by the disease worldwide.
