Designing targeted drugs using artificial intelligence
Official title: AI-Powered Biased Ligand Design
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11037983 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new ways to design medications that can target specific signals in the body without causing unwanted side effects, using smart computer techniques to create better and safer drug options for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $286,200 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM149705-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11037983 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that could benefit from targeted drug therapies, particularly those involving cannabinoid receptors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have conditions related to cannabinoid receptors or who are not seeking new drug therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating biased ligands that can selectively activate specific cellular signals while minimizing unwanted side effects. By utilizing advanced artificial intelligence techniques, the project aims to develop new methods for drug design that can expand the range of potential drug candidates. The approach involves using machine learning algorithms to analyze ligand interactions and generative adversarial networks to create novel chemical structures. This innovative methodology could lead to more effective and safer medications for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of safer drugs with fewer side effects for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using artificial intelligence for drug design, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Junmei — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Wang, Junmei
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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.