Regina M. Murphy

Regina M. Murphy is the Kreuz-Bascom Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, affiliated with the College of Engineering and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Her research focuses on the biophysical and biochemical mechanisms of protein misfolding and amyloid aggregation in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease.

Research Interests:

• Elucidating the molecular pathways of amyloid protein aggregation
• Investigating therapeutic strategies using peptidomimetics of transthyretin (TTR) to inhibit β-amyloid (Aβ) toxicity
• Exploring the hypothesis of an amyloid regulatory network governed by heterotypic interactions
• Studying the role of water and dehydration in fibril assembly mechanisms

Scientific Awards:

• Kreuz-Bascom Professorship

Advising:

• Current students: Chandler Est, Brandon Hoover, Maddie Pont
• Alumni: 25+ PhD, MS, and BS advisees now at institutions like Pfizer, Amgen, and Georgia Tech University

Labs & Collaborations: Collaborates with Dr. Jeff Johnson (School of Pharmacy) to identify TTR-Aβ binding sites and develop anti-aggregation therapeutics. Utilizes stem cell-derived blood-brain barrier (BBB) models and recombinant protein technology in her research.