Designing proteins to understand how protons move in biological systems
Official title: De novo design of photoacid-binding proteins to study proton dynamics in biological systems
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11082970 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about making new proteins to help scientists understand how protons move in living things, which is really important for energy production, and it uses cool computer tools to see these movements up close.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32GM154484-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082970 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in the underlying biological mechanisms of energy production, particularly those affected by conditions related to proton transfer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to proton dynamics or energy transduction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new proteins that can help scientists study how protons transfer in biological processes, which is essential for energy production in living organisms. By designing proteins from scratch, the team aims to mimic natural functions and observe proton dynamics in a controlled environment. The project utilizes advanced computational tools to position specific photoacid cofactors within these proteins, allowing for detailed spectroscopic analysis of proton movement. This innovative approach could provide insights into fundamental biological mechanisms that are not easily observable with current methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of proton dynamics, potentially impacting treatments for diseases related to energy transduction.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of designing proteins to study proton dynamics is innovative, similar methodologies in protein design have shown promise in other areas of biological research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bakanas, Ian — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Bakanas, Ian
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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.