Creating specialized nanobodies to study protein signaling in cells

Development of pan- and phospho-specific nanobodies for investigating MAPK and PP2A signaling

NIH-funded research Vanderbilt University · NIH-11102295

This study is all about creating special tiny proteins that can help scientists see how certain proteins in our cells change when they get a chemical tag called phosphorylation, which is really important for how our cells work, and it could help us learn more about diseases.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11102295 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing unique nanobodies that can specifically bind to phosphorylated proteins, which play crucial roles in cellular signaling. By utilizing these nanobodies, researchers aim to better understand how proteins are modified by phosphorylation, a process that is vital for maintaining cellular functions. The study will involve creating and testing these nanobodies to ensure they can accurately detect and quantify phosphorylation events in living cells, which is currently a significant challenge in the field. This innovative approach could provide new insights into cellular processes and disease mechanisms.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals with conditions related to abnormal protein signaling, such as certain types of cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to protein phosphorylation or those not involved in cellular signaling processes may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved methods for studying protein signaling, which may enhance our understanding of various diseases, including cancers.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of nanobodies in research is promising, this specific approach to studying phosphorylated proteins is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Where this research is happening

Nashville, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.