Biophysical view of how enzymes work to help fight cancer
Official title: Biophysical Model of Enzyme Catalysis: Conformational sub-states, solvent coupling and energy networks
Funded at Oklahoma State University Stillwater · NIH-11362098 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist is studying how enzymes work on a deep, molecular level to help design better cancer drugs with fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma State University Stillwater NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stillwater, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $222,055 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM148886-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11362098 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults with cancer who may benefit from novel enzyme-targeted therapies or who participate in future trials based on these mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
People not connected to enzyme-targeted cancer therapies or not eligible for future related studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project combines computer modeling with lab experiments to map how enzyme shapes, distant regions, and surrounding water influence catalytic power. It builds on decades of work to create a biophysical model that explains why some enzymes are so efficient and how we might influence them with small drug molecules. The goal is to translate these insights into safer, more effective therapies for cancer patients. The work is conducted at Oklahoma State University Stillwater under the guidance of Dr. David Ussery. It focuses on enzymes that play roles in cancer biology and drug design.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new cancer treatments that are more precise and have fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that understanding enzyme catalysis can inform drug design, though this project aims to deepen a detailed biophysical model that is still advancing.
Where this research is happening
-
Oklahoma State University Stillwater
Stillwater, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ussery, David Wayne — Oklahoma State University Stillwater
- Study coordinator: Ussery, David Wayne
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.