# Identifying biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease using phage display

> **NIH NIH R15** · UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA · 2020 · $423,000

## Abstract

Project Summary
The long-term goal of this study is to develop a biomarker-based screening assay for the early
detection of AD-related biochemical changes that can be measured in biofluids such as the CSF.
The main goal of this study is to identify phage-based probes to novel protein metabolites
associated with AD and its progression. This study will have multiple positive effects that include:
earlier and more accurate diagnosis and improved ability to monitor disease progression. To
accomplish this goal the project has two aims: Aim. Identify phage with high sensitivity and
specificity for AD-related post-translational modifications (PTMs) to selected proteins associated
with AD. This aim will leverage the power of phage display to identify novel biomarkers within a
selected group of proteins previously found to be associated with AD. Preliminary data
demonstrate the proposed method is sufficient to differentially identify even closely related
metabolites as well as differentiate between a pilot group of clinically diagnosed AD and control
subjects. Alzheimer’s disease is a slow, progressive neurodegenerative disease that ultimately
results in death. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. and there is no cure. Currently,
diagnosis occurs relatively late in the, and many cases of AD are misdiagnosed. This proposal
addresses an important gap in the development of robust biomarker arrays to assist in the more
accurate and earlier detection of AD-related dementia. Completion of this study would be the first
step to create PTM based array to evaluate the range of AD-relevant biomarkers to further
improve the accuracy of diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9880854
- **Project number:** 1R15AG066122-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** RODNEY P GUTTMANN
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $423,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-03-01 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9880854

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9880854, Identifying biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease using phage display (1R15AG066122-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9880854. Licensed CC0.

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