Creating a computer platform for designing pain relief drugs
Official title: Developing a computational platform for induced-fit and chemogenetic drug design
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11080250 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new computer program to help create better pain relief medications by figuring out how certain body receptors change when they meet different substances, especially to help people who have trouble with opioid use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $475,500 |
| NIH project number | 5DP1DA058349-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080250 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 who experience chronic pain and may benefit from new analgesic treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience pain or have conditions unrelated to pain management may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new computational platform that can help design drugs for pain relief by understanding how certain receptors in the body change shape when they interact with different substances. By modeling these changes, researchers aim to create more effective pain medications that minimize side effects, particularly for those who struggle with opioid use disorder. The approach involves advanced algorithms to simulate the interactions between drugs and their target receptors, which could lead to safer and more effective treatments for pain management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of safer pain relief medications that reduce the risk of addiction and other side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using computational methods for drug design, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in pain management.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Benjamin Patrick — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Brown, Benjamin Patrick
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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.