Researchers have discovered a surprising anomaly in the behavior of how proteins form, upending long-held assumptions about the way cells produce these crucial molecules and potentially leading to a better understanding of aging and neurodegenerative diseases in humans.

Fried is also collaborating with Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Michela Gallagher to study how the E. coli protein findings compare to proteins in the brains of aging rats with memory loss and other cognitive impairments. They hope this will provide insight into how protein folding glitches influence brain disease in humans.

His work is definitely something to look out for. I’m excited to see what he produces.