Exploring how proteins move to improve drug design
Official title: Understanding Essential Protein Dynamics through the Anharmonic Properties of Thermally Excited Vibrations
Funded at Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · NIH-11041065 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how proteins change shape and work over time to help create better drugs that can treat conditions like cancer and inflammation with fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tempe, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $200,062 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM148622-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11041065 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with conditions like cancer or chronic inflammatory diseases who may require new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not involve protein dynamics or allosteric mechanisms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the dynamic behavior of proteins to enhance the design of allosteric drugs, which can bind more selectively to their targets and potentially reduce side effects. By using advanced computational methods, the project aims to predict how proteins change shape and interact over time, which is crucial for developing effective treatments for conditions like cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. The researchers will utilize all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to explore these protein dynamics, although this requires significant computational resources. The goal is to create a framework that allows for more rational and targeted drug design.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of safer and more effective drugs for various diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using computational methods for drug design, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Tempe, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heyden, Matthias — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Heyden, Matthias
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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.