Our Mission
The Saelices Laboratory is devoted to the study of systemic amyloid diseases—disorders caused by the misfolding of specific proteins that aggregate into amyloid fibrils and deposit in various peripheral organs. These deposits disrupt tissue architecture and function, ultimately leading to organ failure and death. These conditions are often underdiagnosed, complex, and challenging to treat. Our research aims to understand the structural basis and the biology of amyloid formation and its precursors, and to develop clinical tools for early detection and inhibition of amyloids. We take a highly interdisciplinary approach, integrating structural biology, biochemistry, and translational research—including cryo-electron microscopy, peptide design, and ex vivo tissue analysis. Our work is motivated by the ultimate goal of improving clinical outcomes for patients affected by these devastating diseases.