Alzheimer’s can be one of the most devastating diseases we face, and it’s also one of the hardest to treat – but what if we can detect it and address it earlier? This month, UNC announced the launch of a $25 million federal consortium bringing researchers together from seven universities for a “moonshot effort” to figure out how to stop diseases like Alzheimer’s and pulmonary fibrosis before they begin developing. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, they’re calling it Instruct and Modulate Protein Ensembles for Disease Evasion – or IMPEDE for short.

Aaron welcomes UNC’s Ronit Freeman, the lead scientist on the project.

Visit Freeman-Lab.com for more on Dr. Freeman’s work.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news and local voices in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday morning, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck chats with government officials, UNC scholars, business and nonprofit leaders, area musicians, and others in our community as they share their thoughts, their experience, and their expertise on the central issues of today. Click here to listen back to all of Aaron’s conversations – and tune in to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” at 7:30 a.m. on 97.9 The Hill to hear those conversations live.

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