Controlling proteins for better cell therapies
Regulation of eDHFR-tagged proteins with trimethoprim PROTACs
This project aims to develop a new way to precisely turn proteins on and off, which could improve treatments like CAR T-cell therapy for cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140457 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating a special tag that can be attached to proteins, allowing them to be seen and controlled using small molecules. This tag will enable different types of imaging, like fluorescence and PET scans, to track proteins in cells and living organisms. The goal is to understand how proteins work and to guide the timing of their activity. This technology could be especially helpful for developing safer and more effective CAR T-cell therapies for solid tumors by allowing better control over how these cells behave in the body.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: While this is foundational research, patients with solid tumors who might benefit from future CAR T-cell therapies could eventually be impacted by this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not related to protein regulation or cell-based therapies, or who are not candidates for CAR T-cell treatments, may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more precise and safer cell-based therapies, such as CAR T-cell treatments for solid tumors, by allowing doctors to better control their effects.
How similar studies have performed: This project addresses an unmet need for a tunable and reversible small molecule approach to regulate protein expression, suggesting a novel method.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sellmyer, Mark a — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Sellmyer, Mark a
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 below.