VCP Scientific Focus Group

Dr. Peter Shen is Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah. His lab aims to understand how life works at the atomic scale, focusing on how cells maintain a healthy balance of protein synthesis, folding, trafficking, and turnover. Dr. Shen is recognized for his contributions to structural biology, particularly in elucidating VCP's hexameric structure and hand-over-hand mechanism of protein unfolding. His expertise in visualizing macromolecular structures at near-atomic resolution has positioned him as a leader in his field. Having connected with Cure VCP Disease five years ago, he has been profoundly impacted by meeting patients and witnessing firsthand how his research translates into real-world impact.