Research Summary

The Kampmann lab develops and applies innovative technologies to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms of aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases, and to discover new therapeutic strategies. A major focus of our research are Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

We have pioneered a CRISPR-based functional genomics platform in human iPSC-derived neurons, glia and 3D assembloids, which enables genome-wide modifier screens of disease-relevant cell biology in patient-derived cells. We have also developed cell-type specific CRISPR screening approaches for mouse models of disease.

We use biochemistry, biophysics and cell biology to test mechanistic hypotheses generated by our functional genomics platform.

Major research questions are:

What controls protein aggregation in neurons, and why is it toxic? Why are some neuronal subtypes selectively vulnerable? Our main focus here is on the protein tau.

How do non-neuronal cells such as microglia and astrocytes contribute to disease? What controls their beneficial and toxic states and functions in disease?

Research Funding

  • February 15, 2026 - November 30, 2030 - Mechanisms of protective UFM1-dependent IRE1 signaling in tauopathies , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: R01AG096698
  • September 15, 2025 - June 30, 2030 - Impact of m6A RNA modifications in Alzheimer's disease and tauopathies , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: R01AG095788
  • June 1, 2025 - February 28, 2030 - Aberrant proteomes in tauopathy: revealing functional consequences via multimodal proteomics , Co-Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: R01AG092454
  • June 1, 2023 - February 29, 2028 - Molecular mechanisms of selective vulnerability of neurons to tauopathy , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: R01AG082141
  • September 1, 2021 - August 31, 2026 - Uncovering the genetic mechanisms of the Chromosome 17q21.31 Tau haplotype on neurodegeneration risk in FTD and PSP , Co-Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: U54NS123746
  • July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2026 - Investigating the Functional Impact of AD Risk Genes on Neuro-Vascular Interactions , Co-Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: U01AG072464
  • September 30, 2018 - May 31, 2024 - Systematic elucidation of endosomal trafficking as a therapeutic opportunity in AD using CRISPR-based functional genomics , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: R01AG062359
  • September 5, 2018 - June 30, 2023 - The Psychiatric Cell Map Initiative: Connecting Genomics, Subcellular Networks, and Higher Order Phenotypes , Co-Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: U01MH115747
  • September 30, 2016 - August 31, 2021 - Linking tau proteostasis with neuronal activity in FTD , Co-Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: U54NS100717
  • September 30, 2018 - June 30, 2020 - Uncovering mechanisms of selective vulnerability by CRISPR-based genetic screens , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: R56AG057528
  • September 30, 2015 - May 31, 2020 - Rewiring of the human protein homeostasis network in normal and disease contexts , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: DP2GM119139
  • August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2018 - Stress response networks in cancer: systematic mapping and therapeutic potential , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: R00CA181494
  • August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015 - Stress response networks in cancer: systematic mapping and therapeutic potential , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: K99CA181494

Education

Marburg University, Germany, Pre-diploma, 06/00, Human Biology
Cambridge University, UK, B.A. (M.A.), First Class Honours, 06/03, Biochemistry
The Rockefeller University, Ph.D., 06/09, Biological Sciences (Cell Biology, Biophysics)
University of California, San Francisco, Postdoctoral Fellow, 07/15, Systems Biology

Honors & Awards

  • 2017
    Named to first cohort of Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigators
  • 2016
    Innovative Research Grant, Stand Up To Cancer
  • 2015
    New Innovator Award, NIH
  • 2015
    Allen Distinguished Investigator Award, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
  • 2014
    Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00), NIH
  • 2012
    Finalist, Deloitte QB3 Award for Innovation, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences
  • 2012
    PBBR Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Program for Breakthrough Biomedical Research, UCSF
  • 2010
    Postdoctoral Fellowship, Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund
  • 2006
    David Rockefeller Fellowship, The Rockefeller University
  • 2003
    Predoctoral Fellowship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Selected Publications

  1. McQuade A, Mishra R, Hagan V, Liang W, Colias PJ, Castillo VC, Gonzalez B, Lubin JP, Haage V, Marshe V, Fujita M, Ta T, Gomes L, Teter O, Han X, Robichaud N, Chasins SE, Rexach JE, De Jager PL, Nuñez JK, Kampmann M. Transcriptional regulation of disease-relevant microglial activation programs. Neuron. 2026 Jul 29. View on PubMed
  2. Desousa BR, Abe Y, Kampmann M, Jain IH. The Disease Gene THAP12 is a Transcriptional Regulator of Mitochondrial ETC Complex I. bioRxiv. 2026 Jul 17. View on PubMed
  3. Shroff K, O'Brien MC, Smith TJ, Fang J, Yu KS, Lombroso SI, Feng S, Chen C, Mohl GA, Rose IVL, Lokesh NR, Pownall ME, Jan LY, Kampmann M. Synaptic activity controls local exposure of an 'eat-me' signal via ANO3-ITPR1 signaling. bioRxiv. 2026 Jun 30. View on PubMed
  4. Nocente MC, Della Rosa M, Malcolm AA, Lister G, Savin I, Ray-Jones H, Elderkin S, Tian R, Andrews S, Bendall A, Semprich CI, Kampmann M, Malysheva V, Rostovskaya M, Rugg-Gunn PJ, Spivakov M. Poising and connectivity of emergent human developmental enhancers in the transition from naive to primed pluripotency. Cell Rep. 2026 Jun 23; 45(6):117402. View on PubMed
  5. Cary GA, Ganesh SSA, Heath L, Leal K, Kampmann M, Longo FM, Butler RR, Levey AL, Carter GW, Wiley J. Alzheimer's disease biological domain sub-stratification enhances the precision of functional analyses. Alzheimers Dement. 2026 Jun; 22(6):e71403. View on PubMed
  6. Mohl GA, Dixon G, Marzette E, McKetney J, Samelson AJ, Serras CP, Jin J, Ariqat N, Keys A, Chavira C, Li A, Boggess SC, Swaney DL, Kampmann M. Multi-omic phenotyping of MAPT V337M neurons reveals early changes in axonogenesis and tau phosphorylation. NPJ Dement. 2026; 2(1):24. View on PubMed
  7. Ramani B, Ehsani K, Kampmann M. The Hsp40 cochaperone DNAJC7 regulates polyglutamine aggregation and exhibits context-dependent effects on polyglycine aggregation. J Biol Chem. 2026 Apr; 302(4):111292. View on PubMed
  8. Uenaka T, Napole A, Saha AD, Sun D, Singavarapu A, Calzada E, Chen J, Erlebach L, McQuade A, Ramos DM, Rigamonti A, Salazar L, Samelson AJ, Sedov K, Welsh NJ, Wild K, Wu Q, Arenas E, Bassett AR, Kampmann M, Kronenberg-Versteeg D, Merkle FT, Schüle B, Thompson LM, Skarnes WC, Ward ME, Wernig M. Prevention of transgene silencing during human pluripotent stem cell differentiation. Cell Stem Cell. 2026 Mar 05; 33(3):517-530.e8. View on PubMed
  9. Samelson AJ, Ariqat N, McKetney J, Rohanitazangi G, Parra Bravo C, Bose RS, Travaglini KJ, Lam VL, Goodness D, Ta T, Dixon G, Marzette E, Jin J, Tian R, Tse E, Abskharon R, Pan HS, Carroll EC, Lawrence RE, Gestwicki JE, Rexach JE, Eisenberg DS, Kanaan NM, Southworth DR, Gross JD, Gan L, Swaney DL, Kampmann M. CRISPR screens in iPSC-derived neurons reveal principles of tau proteostasis. Cell. 2026 Mar 05; 189(5):1517-1534.e19. View on PubMed
  10. Shonai D, Kent J, Okafor A, Gao Y, Parameswaran P, Bustamante E, Ramani B, Diao Y, Kampmann M, Soderblom E, Soderling S. In vivo Proximity & Spatial Proteomics with CRISPR Screening Identify STXBP1 as a Protective Modifier of α-synuclein Toxicity in Dopamine Neurons. bioRxiv. 2026 Jan 17. View on PubMed
  11. Toda Robert A, McQuade A, Koppes-den Hertog SJ, Erlebach L, Kronenberg-Versteeg D, Kampmann M, Giera M, van der Kant R. Comparative lipidomics of iPSC-derived microglia protocols reveal lipid droplet and immune differences mediated by media composition. Stem Cell Reports. 2026 Feb 10; 21(2):102779. View on PubMed
  12. Yu S, Lee Y, Boggess SC, Klein NR, Teyssier N, Kampmann M, Knight ZA. A genetic screen in enteroendocrine cells reveals mechanisms that control protein sensing and GLP-1 release. bioRxiv. 2026 Jan 06. View on PubMed
  13. Nakajo H, Cao R, Mula SA, McKetney J, Silva NJ, Li KH, Chalkley RJ, Randolph LK, Shah M, Rose IVL, Kampmann M, Swaney DL, Kirst C, Molofsky AV. Extracellular matrix proteolysis maintains synapse plasticity during brain development. Nat Neurosci. 2026 Mar; 29(3):567-580. View on PubMed
  14. Ramadoss GN, Namaganda SJ, Kumar MM, Hamilton JR, Sharma R, Chow KG, Workley LA, Macklin BL, Sun M, Ha AS, Liu JC, Fellmann C, Watry HL, Dierks PH, Bose RS, Jin J, Perez BS, Sandoval Espinoza CR, Matia MP, Lu SH, Judge LM, Shy BR, Nussenzweig A, Adamson B, Murthy N, Doudna JA, Kampmann M, Conklin BR. Characterizing and controlling CRISPR repair outcomes in nondividing human cells. Nat Commun. 2025 Nov 17; 16(1):9883. View on PubMed
  15. Krogsaeter EK, McKetney J, Valiente-Banuet L, Marquez A, Willis A, Cakir Z, Stevenson E, Jang GM, Rao A, Li E, Zhou A, Attili A, Chang TS, Kampmann M, Huang Y, Krogan NJ, Swaney DL. Lysosomal proteomics reveals mechanisms of neuronal APOE4-associated lysosomal dysfunction. Autophagy. 2025 Dec; 21(12):3240-3265. View on PubMed
  16. Cuoco CA, Ren W, Baron KR, Gologo S, Perea V, Mathur P, Bora P, Ta A, Chu A, Aldakhlallah R, Rhoades D, Cole CM, Tan EP, Hou WC, Yoon L, Guo X, Rosarda JD, Baran PS, Kampmann M, Tillery L, Johnson KA, Powers ET, Wiseman RL, Kelly JW. Pharmacological targeting of RIG-I can selectively activate the integrated stress response. Sci Adv. 2025 Oct 31; 11(44):eadt3014. View on PubMed
  17. McQuade A, Mishra R, Hagan V, Liang W, Colias PJ, Castillo VC, Lubin JP, Haage V, Marshe V, Fujita M, Gomes L, Ta T, Teter O, Chasins SE, De Jager PL, Nuñez JK, Kampmann M. Transcriptional regulation of disease-relevant microglial activation programs. bioRxiv. 2025 Oct 27. View on PubMed
  18. Feringa FM, Koppes-den Hertog SJ, Wang LY, Derks RJE, Kruijff I, Erlebach L, Heijneman J, Miramontes R, Pömpner N, Blomberg N, Olivier-Jimenez D, Johansen LE, Cammack AJ, Giblin A, Toomey CE, Rose IVL, Yuan H, Ward ME, Isaacs AM, Kampmann M, Kronenberg-Versteeg D, Lashley T, Thompson LM, Ori A, Mohammed Y, Giera M, van der Kant R. The Neurolipid Atlas: a lipidomics resource for neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Metab. 2025 Oct; 7(10):2142-2164. View on PubMed
  19. Ryan VH, Lawton S, Reyes JF, Hawrot J, Frankenfield AM, Seddighi S, Ramos DM, Epstein J, Faghri F, Johnson NL, Zou J, Kampmann M, Replogle J, Qi YA, Yuan H, Johnson K, Maric D, Hao L, Nalls MA, Ward ME. Maintenance of neuronal TDP-43 expression requires axonal lysosome transport. Elife. 2025 Sep 19; 14. View on PubMed
  20. Mohl GA, Dixon G, Marzette E, McKetney J, Samelson AJ, Serras CP, Jin J, Ariqat N, Li A, Boggess SC, Swaney DL, Kampmann M. Multi-omic phenotyping of iPSC-derived neurons harboring the MAPT V337M mutation reveals tau hypophosphorylation and perturbed axon morphology pathways. bioRxiv. 2025 Sep 09. View on PubMed

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