Proteotoxic stress is a condition that occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of misfolded or damaged proteins and the ability of cells to properly fold, degrade, or refold these proteins. This can lead to the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates within cells, which can disrupt normal cellular functions and ultimately contribute to the development of various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Research in the field of proteotoxic stress focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of protein misfolding and aggregation, as well as developing strategies to prevent or mitigate the toxic effects of these aberrant proteins. This includes studying the role of molecular chaperones, protein degradation pathways, and cellular stress responses in maintaining protein homeostasis and promoting cell survival in the face of proteotoxic stress.