Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Florida's Division of Sponsored Research received a $422,125 Project Grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) under the Aging Research program (CFDA 93.866) for the period of June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2028. The award funds research to investigate the impact of pathological tau protein on RNA and translation mechanisms in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and other tauopathies. The research deliverables include identification of RNA transcripts that bind to tau in primary tauopathies through analysis of human brain tissues, in vitro models, and in vivo mouse neural tissue models; characterization of newly translated proteins in the presence of pathological tau; and elucidation of the tau-mediated mechanism of translation dysfunction that impairs protein synthesis critical for memory function.

The project addresses a significant gap in understanding how tau abnormalities contribute to neurodegeneration in diseases affecting nearly 50 million people worldwide. Deliverables are organized around two primary research aims supported by preliminary data demonstrating associations between tau and ribosome complexes and impaired protein synthesis networks in disease. The research outputs are designed to identify potential therapeutic targets for tauopathies through rigorous experimental methodology, controlled validation experiments, and statistical analysis. Findings from this award are expected to advance understanding of tau pathogenesis mechanisms and inform the development of targeted interventions for memory impairment associated with neurodegenerative disease.