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. His research focuses on the mechanisms of protein folding, proteostasis, and the formation of misfolded protein aggregates, including prions and amyloids, which play critical roles in neurodegenerative diseases. He investigates the cellular machinery that promotes protein homeostasis and the pathways leading to protein misfolding and aggregation. Shorter's studies aim to understand how molecular chaperones and disaggregases like Hsp104 function, their roles in maintaining cellular protein integrity, and their implications in diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. He employs a variety of biochemical and genetic approaches to elucidate these mechanisms and seeks to develop strategies to modulate protein aggregation and enhance cellular resilience against proteotoxic stress. His work is influential in providing insights into fundamental biological processes and the pathology of neurodegenerative disorders.

Research Interests