Dr. James Shorter

Biography

James Shorter is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He received his M.A. in Biology from the University of Oxford in 1995 and a Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the University of London in 2000. His research expertise focuses on protein misfolding and aggregation mechanisms that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Through his work, Shorter investigates the proteostasis network, which includes molecular chaperones and disaggregases that prevent harmful protein aggregation. His laboratory aims to elucidate the structural and mechanistic basis of protein disaggregases, particularly Hsp104, and applies this understanding to develop therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to protein misfolding. His research also explores how small molecules can modulate amyloid folding pathways, further contributing to the understanding of prion-like diseases. Shorter's contributions are critical to advancing our knowledge of proteotoxicity in neurodegenerative conditions and the development of potential therapeutic approaches.

Research Interests