Engineering modular protein inhibitors to target disease-related biomolecules
Official title: Engineering Modular Protein Inhibitors for Selective Targeting of Pathological Biomolecules
Funded at University of Nevada Reno · NIH-11387863 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are designing flexible protein tools that can bind selectively to specific disease-related proteins to reduce unwanted interactions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nevada Reno NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Reno, United States) |
| Project start | August 8, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $400,178 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM160474-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387863 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with conditions related to pathological biomolecules and extracellular matrix remodeling where targeted protein therapies could be beneficial in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals seeking immediate treatment or with conditions not influenced by extracellular matrix remodeling or protein interaction networks may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project aims to expand our toolbox for designing multifunctional proteins by linking sequence, structure, and function to create designer scaffolds that bind precisely to chosen targets. The work focuses on improving binding affinity and selectivity while minimizing off-target effects, using natural inhibitors called TIMPs and comparisons to antibody fragments. By engineering these proteins to interact with components of the extracellular matrix and cell signaling networks, the research could lead to new therapeutic strategies. The study will blend protein engineering with structural and functional analyses to understand how design choices impact performance in complex biological environments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could yield new therapeutic proteins with better precision and fewer side effects for diseases involving abnormal protein interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work with engineered protein scaffolds and antibody-like interactions has shown promise in increasing specificity and reducing off-target effects.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nevada Reno
Reno, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Raeeszadeh Sarmazdeh, Maryam — University of Nevada Reno
- Study coordinator: Raeeszadeh Sarmazdeh, Maryam
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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.