Exploring how proteins change shape and function to improve drug design
Official title: Understanding and controlling protein energy landscapes by combining simulations and experiments
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11066473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the building blocks of proteins affect their shape and job in the body, especially for important proteins like myosins that help our muscles work, with the hope of using this knowledge to create better medicines that can fix problems caused by changes in these proteins.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $401,648 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM152085-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066473 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with genetic mutations affecting protein function, particularly those related to cardiac conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to protein dynamics or those not affected by cardiac diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the dynamic nature of proteins, focusing on how their sequences influence their structures and functions. By combining advanced computer simulations, biophysical experiments, and machine learning, the team aims to develop a better understanding of protein behavior, particularly for complex proteins like myosins that play crucial roles in muscle function and other biological processes. The goal is to create more effective drugs by accurately predicting how mutations affect protein function and by designing new molecules that can control these functions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective drugs for treating various cardiac diseases and disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar approaches to understand protein dynamics and improve drug design, indicating a potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bowman, Gregory — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Bowman, Gregory
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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.