The present invention relates to methods for the modulation of autophagy by altering the phosphorylation of Death Associated Protein (DAP1). The present invention further relates to methods of treating autophagy associated diseases comprising the suppression of autophagy by dephosphorylating DAP1. The invention further provides human DAP1 mutated at positions 3 and 51 with phospho-silencing residues and uses thereof in treating autophagy associated diseases.