Exploring how peptides behave in tiny spaces and respond to pH changes
Official title: Understanding and Designing pH-Responsive Peptides in Confined Nanoscale Environments
Funded at University of Massachusetts Lowell · NIH-10974635 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tiny proteins behave when they're organized in specific ways, which could help create new sensors and treatments for diseases like cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Lowell NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lowell, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $455,940 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM155859-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974635 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with conditions that could benefit from advanced peptide-based therapies, particularly those related to cancer or metabolic disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to peptide therapies or those not requiring pH-responsive treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the confinement and organization of short biological peptides at the nanoscale can affect their behavior and properties. By focusing on intrinsically disordered proteins, which can change in response to environmental factors like pH, the project aims to develop new methods for creating responsive sensors and therapeutics. The researchers will study how these peptides interact with nanoparticles and how their properties can be controlled for potential medical applications. This work could lead to advancements in therapies for various diseases, including cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative therapies and diagnostic tools that respond to changes in the body, improving treatment outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the study of oligonucleotides has shown promise, the specific approach of using intrinsically disordered proteins in nanoscale environments is relatively novel and less explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ross, Michael B — University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Study coordinator: Ross, Michael B
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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.