When improperly folded proteins build up in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), cells become stressed and conditions such as type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers can develop. In a recent study published in The FASEB Journal, researchers found that a modification known as UFMylation plays an important role in reducing ER stress and maintaining homeostasis by altering the stability of a protein called BiP in cells. A better understanding of this process could help scientists develop improved treatments.