Claudio Soto

My career has been dedicated to unraveling the molecular mysteries of neurodegenerative diseases. As a Professor of Neurology and Director of the Mitchell Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Brain Disorders at UTHealth Houston, I have bridged the gap between fundamental basic science and transformative clinical applications. My work is driven by the conviction that understanding the mechanics of protein misfolding is the key to conquering Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and prion diseases.

My most significant contributions lie in the development of ultra-sensitive diagnostic technologies. I pioneered the Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification technology, which revolutionized the detection of infectious prions. By expanding these principles, I developed the Seed Amplification Assay, a platform now essential for detecting misfolded protein aggregates in patients with synucleinopathies and tauopathies. Complementing these diagnostic advances, I developed the "beta-sheet breaker" approach to create novel therapeutic compounds aimed at halting disease progression. My research has also been instrumental in establishing the transmissible nature of protein misfolding and the concept of "cross-seeding" between different neurodegenerative pathologies.

Currently, my laboratory is at the forefront of regenerative medicine and disease modeling. We are leveraging induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), 3D cerebral organoids, and sophisticated animal models to simulate disease environments and test interventions. This body of work is reflected in over 250 peer-reviewed publications with more than 38,000 citations and a track record of over $60 million in NIH funding over the past 20 years.

I serve as the Co-Lead of the Biomarker Core. In collaboration with Dr. Faridar, I will oversee the core’s strategic direction, specifically spearheading SAA studies to identify alpha-synuclein aggregates in CSF and skin samples.