Controlling shape changes in proteins that drive cell signals
Conformational Control of Protein Kinases
This research develops lab methods to track and change the shapes of kinases—proteins that control cell signals—to help people with diseases like cancer driven by abnormal kinase activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11290389 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, this project builds new laboratory tools to map how protein kinases fold and how their large shape changes affect cell signaling. The team uses a 'selective proteolysis' technique plus biochemical and cell-based experiments to read kinase conformations and how they bind partner proteins. They are also creating genetic and chemical tools to lock kinases into specific shapes so researchers can see what those shapes do in cells. Most of the work is done in the lab on proteins and cell models rather than by giving treatments to patients today.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with diseases caused by abnormal kinase activity—for example cancers with BRAF or other kinase mutations—would be the most relevant group for future trials stemming from this research.
Not a fit: Patients who need immediate clinical treatment or whose conditions are unrelated to kinase signaling are unlikely to get direct benefit from this lab-focused work right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could open new ways to design medicines that target kinase shapes and interactions, potentially leading to better treatments for cancers and other diseases driven by kinases.
How similar studies have performed: Drugs that block kinase activity have succeeded in some cancers, but deliberately targeting kinase shapes and noncatalytic functions is a newer, mostly preclinical approach with promising early lab results.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Soellner, Matthew B — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Soellner, Matthew B
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.