NIH-funded research R21 grant

Developing new methods to control protein phosphorylation in cells

Official title: Engineered orthogonal signaling systems for selective phosphorylation of protein kinase substrates

Funded at Yale University · NIH-10952454 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring a new way to help scientists understand how certain proteins in our cells communicate by using special technology to add a chemical tag to them, which could eventually lead to better treatments for diseases.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project startAugust 6, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$391,531
NIH project number1R21CA293623-01
Project IDNIH-10952454 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions related to dysregulated protein kinase activity, such as certain cancers.

Less likely to help

Patients with conditions unrelated to protein kinase signaling may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating innovative technology to selectively phosphorylate specific protein substrates involved in cell signaling. By engineering a mutant version of a kinase, the team aims to direct phosphorylation to a chosen substrate, allowing for a better understanding of how these modifications affect cellular functions. The study will utilize the tumor suppressor kinase LKB1 as a model to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, which could lead to advancements in targeted therapies for various diseases.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more precise treatments for diseases by enhancing our understanding of protein signaling pathways.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using engineered kinases for targeted phosphorylation, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • Yale University
    New Haven, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Turk, Benjamin E — Yale University
  • Study coordinator: Turk, Benjamin E

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.