Creating user-friendly tools to discover new drugs
Official title: Developing and Applying Accessible Computational Technologies for the Design of Small-Molecule Ligands
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10765144 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about using computer technology to find new medicines that could help treat diseases like cancer, making it easier for scientists to discover and improve potential treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $376,228 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM152006-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10765144 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with conditions that could benefit from new drug therapies, particularly those related to cancer and metabolic disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that are not related to the diseases being targeted by this research may not receive any benefit.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the process of drug discovery by developing accessible computational technologies that can predict which small molecules may have therapeutic potential. By using computer-aided drug discovery (CADD), the team aims to identify new bioactive molecules and enhance their properties to make them more effective as treatments. The research involves innovative modeling techniques to understand how these molecules interact with proteins related to various diseases, including cancer. Ultimately, the goal is to provide the scientific community with better tools to develop new therapies for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective and accessible treatments for various diseases, including cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in computer-aided drug discovery has shown promise in improving drug development processes, indicating that this approach could yield significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Durrant, Jacob D — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Durrant, Jacob D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Elastomeric membranes for safer pelvic organ prolapse repair
A new 3D-printed elastomeric membrane made from polycarbonate urethane is being tested to replace stiff polypropylene meshes for pelvic organ prolapse in women, aiming to reduce complications.
-
Role of hyaluronan in egg development and ovarian reserve
This grant studies how the hyaluronan matrix in the ovary affects the aging of the female reproductive system and the pool of eggs available.
-
Regulatory switches that control imprinting in early human development
This grant studies how certain genes stay “one-copy” active in early development and what goes wrong in assisted reproduction, with a focus on imprinting disorders.
-
Identifying molecular signs of imprinting errors linked to fertility treatments
This grant studies how assisted reproductive technologies may cause imprinting errors in embryos and how these errors relate to certain birth conditions, with implications for families using infertility treatments.
-
Bioadhesive vaginal film for 7-day protection against HIV, HSV, and pregnancy
A vaginal film that slowly releases antibodies to prevent HIV, HSV, and unintended pregnancy for about a week from a single use.
-
Spermatogonial stem cell transplantation and culture in patients
Researchers are testing a way to transplant or grow sperm-producing cells back in boys and men who stored tissue before cancer treatment, to help them have biological children in the future.
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.