Cracking the Code of Protein Folding: Latifat Ibrahim’s Research Brings Renewed Hope Against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease

By Aliu Bayeku

Every 65 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s disease. Behind many of these cases lies a microscopic mystery—how proteins misfold and wreak havoc on the brain. Now, a researcher is shedding light on this fundamental process, potentially paving the way for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment.

Latifat Ibrahim, a biochemist researcher, is uncovering the hidden mechanisms of protein folding using molecular models and experimental approaches, offering insight into the root of neurodegenerative diseases affecting millions of People.

For decades, scientists have been fascinated—and often frustrated—by a biological enigma: how do proteins know how to fold? More importantly, what happens when this process goes awry? Proteins must fold into precise three-dimensional shapes to function properly. When this process goes awry, the misfolded proteins can accumulate in the brain, forming plaques or tangles associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. Latifat’s research with Professor Clark at the University of Notre Dame, focuses on understanding exactly how and why proteins misfold, using advanced molecular models to mimic in cell-protein vectorial folding outside of the cell. At the Clark lab, using methods including in vitro protein expression techniques, purification techniques such as chromatography, electrophoresis, protein fluorescence-based folding detection methods etc., they’ve identified a chaperone molecule called ClpX, that is used to mimic how protein folds in the cell. This chaperone allows the testing of protein folding dynamics outside of the cell with great ease, therefore understanding the dynamics of how different proteins attain their native structure and providing insights to what can be done to prevent protein misfolding and aggregation. These findings could serve as early biomarkers or targets for drug development.

Why It Matters to the General Public
Around the world, the burden of neurodegenerative disease is growing. Experts estimate the global cost of dementia alone will surpass $2.8 trillion by 2030. As researchers race to understand how these diseases begin, projects like Ms. Ibrahim’s offer a glimpse of a future where intervention is possible—early, targeted, and effective.
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease alone, costing the nation over $300 billion annually in healthcare, caregiving, and lost productivity. As the U.S. population ages, these numbers are projected to rise sharply. Targeting protein misfolding at its root could lead to preventive therapies, not just symptom management. At its core, Latifat’s research is about connecting fundamental science with human needs. It’s about using knowledge of the smallest biological details to create ripple effects that may one day lead to national policy shifts, changes in clinical practice, and new standards for early diagnosis and intervention.
The United States has long been a leader in biomedical research, and institutions like the University of Notre Dame are committed to pushing that legacy forward. We know that public investment in science pays off—not just in breakthroughs, but in lives extended, memories preserved, and communities supported.

Call to action: Hope at the Molecular Level
Understanding protein folding is not just a scientific puzzle—it’s a public health priority. With continued investment in biomedical research, we may soon be able to change the trajectory of diseases that currently have no cure. Protein folding may seem like a microscopic concern, but it is deeply human. It is about the biological processes that keep us moving, thinking, remembering, and feeling. When those processes break down, they take with them pieces of identity and quality of life. By better understanding how proteins fold—and crucially, how and why they misfold—we can begin to fight back not just with compassion, but with precision.

Latifat’s journey into neurodegenerative disease research began during her undergraduate studies in Nigeria, where she examined the effects of environmental toxicants—specifically industrial leachate—on brain cells. Even then, she was drawn to the molecular origins of neurological disorders and how environmental factors might trigger or worsen these conditions. This foundational work shaped her commitment to understanding neurodegeneration at the biochemical level and set her on a path of inquiry that now spans continents. Today, at the University of Notre Dame, Latifat continues this mission by investigating the molecular mechanisms of protein misfolding—an underlying cause of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Her research not only deepens our understanding of how these diseases begin, but also reflects a lifelong commitment to using science to address complex, global health challenges.