Discovery/Signaling Core supports new bronchodilation discoveries
Official title: Discovery/Signaling Core
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11417186 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A collaboration at Thomas Jefferson University aims to find new small molecules and molecular insights to help relax narrowed airways in asthma and other airway diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $332,181 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL180318-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417186 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with asthma or similar airway constriction conditions who may benefit from future bronchodilator therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-airway diseases or those not eligible for bronchodilator trials may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Core A provides high-throughput screening, cryo-EM, signaling analysis, and virtual screening to generate and test small molecules that may promote bronchodilation. The team will combine traditional and computer-assisted methods to map structure-activity relationships and speed up discovery from initial hits to detailed data. They will study biased allosteric modulators of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor and explore modulators for GPRC5A and GPRC5B to identify potential new therapies. Molecular modeling and simulations will support understanding of how these modulators bind and affect signaling. Results and materials will be shared with other projects for translational exploration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this core could enable new bronchodilators that improve breathing for patients with constrictive airway diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work on beta-2 adrenergic receptor modulators and related SAR approaches has shown promise in airway signaling research, suggesting potential for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benovic, Jeffrey L — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Benovic, Jeffrey L
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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.