Funding supports creation and open distribution of critical research tools to accelerate neuroscience discoveries

The Institute for Protein Innovation (IPI), a nonprofit research institute dedicated to advancing protein science, today announced that it received a $500,000 grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) to develop innovative protein-based tools for neuroscience research.

As the only nonprofit with an extensive collection of synthetic recombinant antibodies and specialized protein development capabilities, IPI will focus on three key projects aimed at creating and distributing essential research tools for studying brain functions and neurological diseases:

• Development of antibody panels targeting neurexins and neuroligins, crucial adhesion proteins that connect neurons at synapses.
• Creation of antibody panels targeting glial cell surface proteins, in collaboration with Philip De Jager, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Director, The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain at New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University. These tools will enable researchers to identify and track various glial cell types, advancing the understanding of their role in neurodegenerative diseases.
• Design of innovative miniproteins for labeling cytosolic proteins, in partnership with Debora Marks, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School. Using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning methods, these tools will allow researchers to study protein function within neurons.

“The synergy between CZI and IPI stems from our shared belief that cutting-edge technology will build the tools that drive scientific progress, and a commitment that open science should enable their access by researchers worldwide,” said Rob Meijers, Ph.D., Head of Neuroscience at IPI. “By combining IPI's protein development capabilities with CZI's network of neurobiology investigators, we're building a foundation for collaborative innovation in brain research.”

The protein tools will first be distributed to the other grantees of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which brings together researchers from across disciplines to pursue critical scientific challenges. Subsequently, the antibodies and miniproteins, along with data about their composition and production, will be shared with the broader scientific community to maximize their impact on neuroscience research.

About IPI

The Institute for Protein Innovation is pioneering a new approach to scientific discovery and collaboration. As a nonprofit research institute, we provide the biomedical research community with synthetic antibodies and deep protein expertise, empowering scientists to explore fundamental biological processes and pinpoint new targets for therapeutic development. Our mission is to advance protein science to accelerate research and improve human health. For more information, visit proteininnovation.org or follow us on social media, @ipiproteins.

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