Scientists at the University of Leeds discovered that a small change or misfold in the beta-2 microglobulin protein can make it unstable and prone to sticking to other proteins, starting the process that leads to amyloid fibres forming in diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. A separate study found that protein-protein recognition between an enzyme and unfolded peptide occurs through hydrophobic interaction with two specific areas of the unfolded peptide, clarifying how this important recognition process works. Advances in understanding protein folding and interactions are important for developing treatments for diseases caused by amyloid proteins and furthering research into physiological processes.