Exploring new drug targets for orphan receptors in the body
Official title: Molecular evolution of synthetic probes for orphan GPCRs
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11015785 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring special receptors in the body that are linked to heart and lung diseases, and it's looking for new ways to find the substances that can interact with them, which could help us understand these receptors better and develop new treatments for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 7F31HL172691-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015785 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, particularly those who may benefit from new treatments targeting GPCRs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to GPCRs or those who do not respond to existing treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding orphan G protein-coupled receptors (oGPCRs), which are important for various cardiovascular and respiratory diseases but lack known ligands. The team will use a yeast-based platform to systematically discover antibody-based ligands for these receptors, aiming to increase the rate of discovery significantly. By identifying ligands for oGPCRs, the research could lead to new insights into their biological functions and potential therapeutic applications. This innovative approach leverages directed evolution to screen billions of nanobodies efficiently.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new therapeutic agents for conditions like hypertension and asthma.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been efforts to study GPCRs, the specific approach of using directed evolution for oGPCRs is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fitzsimmons, Ari Benjamin — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Fitzsimmons, Ari Benjamin
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.