Designing Protein Structures with Metal-Based Functions
Design and Evolution of Metal-Based Functions in Supramolecular Protein Scaffolds
This project aims to understand and create special proteins that use metals, which are important for many body functions and overall health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192756 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies rely on special proteins called metalloproteins for many vital functions, but we don't fully understand how their structure and metal components work together. This project seeks to overcome this by designing new protein structures from the ground up that can perform complex metal-based tasks. We are developing advanced methods, including machine learning, to build these protein structures around metal active sites with great precision. By doing so, we hope to better understand how these important biological functions developed naturally and how we might improve upon them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation, but future applications could benefit individuals with conditions linked to metalloprotein dysfunction.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical interventions or direct treatment options would not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of fundamental biological processes and potentially inspire new ways to design therapies or diagnostic tools for diseases related to metalloprotein function.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon recent advancements in protein design and machine learning, offering novel approaches to creating and understanding metalloproteins.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tezcan, F. Akif — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Tezcan, F. Akif
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.