Computational design of light-activated enzymes to make medicines faster and better
Official title: Computational Framework for the Mechanistic Studies and Physics-Informed Prediction and Design of Photoenzymes
Funded at Northeastern University · NIH-11393784 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A computational program aims to design photoenzymes that use light to drive useful chemical changes for making pharmaceuticals more efficiently and sustainably.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $400,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM155112-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393784 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly; the project aims to benefit drug development and manufacturing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients looking for immediate treatments may not directly benefit during the project period.
What this research studies
Researchers will create a combined computer framework that predicts how light, enzyme scaffolds, and cofactors work together to enable new reactions. The project focuses on designing photoenzymes that can perform asymmetric, non-natural reactions important for drug synthesis. It will develop descriptors from ground and excited states to guide protein engineering and cofactor choices. The work could lead to faster, greener routes to medicines by expanding the toolbox of biocatalysis. This is a computational-to-design effort with potential for future experimental validation in collaboration with partners.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the framework could accelerate the creation of safer and more efficient drug manufacturing processes using light-activated enzymes.
How similar studies have gone: This represents a cutting-edge, emerging approach with some initial demonstrations but still developing—significant novelty with high potential impact.
Where this research is happening
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Northeastern University
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dong, Sijia — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Dong, Sijia
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.