Protein Folding and Misfolding

Measurement and Prediction at Single-Molecule Resolution

**From folding to society.** We follow the full journey of proteins in real time, identifying when and why misfolding leads to disease, and informing new strategies for diagnostics, therapies, and prevention — while also working with humanities experts to ensure these advances align with societal needs.

Proteins must fold into the right 3D shape to function. When this process fails, diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and many cancers can emerge.

While AlphaFold can now predict static protein structures, it still cannot reveal how proteins fold, why folding sometimes fails, and how this can trigger aggregation — knowledge that is essential to understanding and preventing misfolding.

Our cluster unites Swedish leaders in biophysics, simulations and AI to track protein folding in real time and at single-molecule resolution.

Using high-speed force spectroscopy, multiscale microscopy, nanochannel technologies and deep-learning models, we uncover the rules of folding and misfolding to drive new diagnostics, therapies, and prevention strategies.

With protein-folding research entering a new era of real- time and AI-driven approaches, Sweden has a unique opportunity to shape the global landscape. By coordinating national expertise and infrastructure, our cluster positions Sweden to lead this transformation.

Focus areas

Real-time protein dynamics – single-molecule force spectroscopy and optical tools to detect folding intermediates and misfolded states.
Multiscale imaging – live-cell and super-resolution microscopy, single-molecule FRET, nanochannels and integration with cryo-EM, NMR, and synchrotron data.
AI & simulations – deep learning and molecular dynamics to predict folding pathways and misfolding routes from sequence to structure to function.
Clinical translation & biomarkers – connect folding signatures to patient data and proteomics in neurodegeneration and other misfolding diseases.
Ethics & society – work with humanities and social sciences on responsible AI, data use and long-term societal impacts.

Interest in collaboration and exchange

Shared methods and platforms for imaging, single-molecule measurements, and AI-driven analysis.

Joint applications in disease models, clinical cohorts, large imaging, and proteomics datasets.

Ethics, policy and foresight for AI-enabled protein technologies.

Training and mobility – co-developed PhD courses, workshops and exchanges at the interface of biophysics, AI and medicine.

Join our conference in Stockholm on 11–13 March 2026 to help shape the future Swedish platform for protein-folding research.

Facts

Start and end dates: October 2025 – March 2026
Project Coordinator: Giovanni Volpe (GU)
Funded by: Vetenskapsrådet