Method for detection of aggregates in biological samples

A method for detecting one or more protein aggregates in a biological sample, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing at least one mammalian cell comprising a first protein linked to a first reporter and a second protein linked to a second reporter, wherein the first protein and the second protein each comprise a similar aggregation-prone domain, such that the first protein and the second protein aggregate and produce a detectable signal;
• (b) contacting the at least one mammalian cell with a biological sample comprising a protein aggregate at a concentration equivalent to about 1 pm to about 100 nM of monomers, the protein aggregate comprising an aggregation-prone domain similar to the first and second protein, such that the protein aggregate is taken up by the cell;
• (c) measuring a detectable signal;
• and (d) comparing the amount of the detectable signal in the biological sample to the amount of a detectable signal produced by a control, wherein a change in the detectable signal indicates one or more protein aggregates are in the biological sample.