AlphaFold solves a 50-year scientific mystery by mapping apoB100, the protein that gives "bad cholesterol" its form. University of Missouri researchers combined cryo-electron microscopy with AlphaFold predictions to achieve atomic-resolution mapping of this enormous protein that has defied researchers for decades.

The resulting model reveals apoB100 as a cage-like shell wrapping around LDL particles, including a ribbon-like belt that keeps the particle intact in the bloodstream. This breakthrough provides unprecedented insight into how LDL functions as a major carrier of fat through the bloodstream and a key risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

For biochemists Zachary Berndsen and Keith Cassidy, who both have family histories of heart disease, this discovery represents a deeply satisfying achievement. Their combined approach of experimental imaging and AI prediction opens new possibilities for preventing, diagnosing and treating high cholesterol with greater precision than ever before.