Ralf Langen, PhD

Our main interests lie in the basic areas of protein folding and misfolding, and particular emphasis is placed on these processes when they occur on or around membranes. The interaction of proteins with membranes underlies many important biological processes. Proteins can regulate the structure and function of biological membranes by controlling the composition, fluidity, permeability and curvature of cellular membranes. Membranes, in turn, can have a pronounced effect on the structure and function of proteins and help to promote physiologically important structural reorganizations of proteins. In addition, membrane interaction can also result in protein misfolding which could ultimately cause disease.

• Developing novel nanobody-based biosensors and therapeutics for Huntington?s Disease
  NIH · R21NS137242 · Apr 15, 2024 – Mar 31, 2026 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Genetically Encoded Probes of Huntingtin Misfolding
  NIH · R01NS125769 · Aug 1, 2022 – Jul 31, 2027 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Molecular Mechanism of Huntingtin Misfolding and its Inhibition by Designed and Cellular Proteins
  NIH · R01NS120704 · Sep 17, 2021 – Aug 31, 2026 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Characterizing the Conformations and Neurotoxic Species of Huntingtin
  NIH · R01NS118859 · Jul 15, 2021 – Jun 30, 2026 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Membrane-Mediated Interactions of the Bcl-xL/Bid/Bax Triad of Apoptotic Regulators
  NIH · R01GM126778 · Feb 1, 2019 – Jan 31, 2024 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Structural characterization of A-beta strain variation in AD mouse models
  NIH · R01AG061865 · Sep 30, 2018 – May 31, 2024 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Mechanism of modulation of huntingtin exon 1 aggregation by profilin
  NIH · R01NS089932 · Apr 1, 2016 – Dec 31, 2021 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Membrane remodeling by alpha-synuclein: implications for function and disease
  NIH · R01GM115736 · Sep 1, 2015 – Jun 30, 2020 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Molecular mechanisms of huntingtin misfolding
  NIH · R01NS084345 · Apr 1, 2015 – Mar 31, 2021 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Amyloid Fibril Formation and Protein Misfolding: Molecular Mechanisms and Cellula
  NIH · R13NS066531 · Jun 15, 2009 – May 31, 2010 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Structural Analysis of IAPP Fibril Formation and Membrane Interaction
  NIH · R01AG027936 · Feb 15, 2007 – Jan 31, 2012 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Structural Analysis of Protein-Membrane Interaction
  NIH · R01GM063915 · Jul 1, 2001 – Jan 31, 2014 · Role: Principal Investigator
• RHODOPSIN STRUCTURES AND KINASE INTERACTION
  NIH · F32EY006809 · Mar 30, 1997 · Role: Principal Investigator

• USC scientists reveal clues about structure of proteins (02/22/2012)
• Chemist Ralf Langen joins Keck School of Medicine (1/7/2010)

• Pandey, Nitin
• Siemer, Ansgar
• Ulmer, Tobias
• Wang, Danny
• Khoshnan, Ali
• Varkey, Jobin