Exploring how enzymes work using advanced technology to study proteins.
Official title: Dissecting enzyme function at scale using synergistic advances in microfluidics and genetic code expansion
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11068456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to understand how enzymes work by using special building blocks called noncanonical amino acids, which could help improve treatments for patients by revealing important details about processes like cell-wall creation in our bodies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 1F32GM156066-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11068456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with conditions related to enzyme deficiencies or metabolic disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to enzyme function or those not affected by metabolic processes may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the use of noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) to enhance our understanding of enzyme functions. By employing a high-throughput microfluidic platform, the project aims to create and analyze thousands of protein variants simultaneously, allowing for detailed biochemical measurements. Patients may benefit from insights gained into enzyme mechanisms, particularly those related to important biological processes like cell-wall biosynthesis. The approach is designed to be more efficient and less resource-intensive than traditional methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to significant advancements in the development of new therapeutic strategies targeting enzyme-related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using high-throughput techniques to study enzyme functions, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Almhjell, Patrick James — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Almhjell, Patrick James
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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.