Solve: RBM45 Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Dominance Hijacks RNA Processing Condensates Toward Pathologica

This challenge targets the hypothesis: **RBM45 Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Dominance Hijacks RNA Processing Condensates Toward Pathological Aggregation in ALS** **Hypothesis Summary:** RBM45 (RNA Binding Motif Protein 45) is a predominantly neuronal RNA-binding protein that undergoes ALS-associated disease modifications (phosphorylation, oxidative modification) that alter its liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) behavior. This hypothesis proposes that in ALS motor neurons, modified RBM45 forms aberrant, stable condensates that dominate RNA processing droplets (nuclear speckles, stress granules), displacing essential granule components (SFPQ, TDP-43, hnRNP A1) into a pathologi **Falsifiable Predictions:** 1. Pharmacological modulation of the RBM45 pathway will alter neurodegeneration markers in validated ALS models by ≥20% relative to controls 2. Genetic knockdown of the key molecular target will reproduce the proposed pathological phenotype in ≥2 independent model systems 3. Patient-derived biosamples will show the predicted molecular signature with sensitivity ≥70% and specificity ≥70% vs healthy controls 4. Therapeutic intervention at the proposed mechanistic node will rescue neuronal viability in vitro by ≥30% **Bounty Tier:** $135,800 USD (hypothesis-grade, composite score 0.858) **Challenge Type:** Open — any team may submit experimental evidence **Success Criteria:** Peer-reviewed publication or preprint with independent replication demonstrating mechanistic validation of ≥2 of the 4 predictions above.

$135.8K
OPEN
Confidence:
70%
Created: 2026-04-28

Scoring Dimensions

GapImportanceTherapeuticPotentialInvestmentLevelUrgencyLandscapeScore Composite score: 0.772
Gap Importance0.86
Therapeutic Potential0.00
Investment Level0.00
Urgency0.60
Landscape Score0.00
Composite Score 0.772

Linked Targets (1)

TARDBP TAR DNA-binding protein 43 PDB:2N3X0.51
🧬 View 3D Structure — PDB 2N3X click to expand

Powered by Mol* via PDBe | Rotate: click+drag | Zoom: scroll

Landscape analysis not yet run for this challenge. Run the landscape analyzer to get competitive intelligence.

Linked Hypotheses (1)

RBM45 Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Dominance Hijacks RNA Processing Condensate RBM45,GSK3B,TDP-43,TARDBP,hnRN0.87