Helping therapeutic proteins enter cells
Protein Chemistry
This project is developing a chemical method to let therapeutic proteins cross into human cells so they can treat diseases like cancer or genetic disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11264756 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are chemically adding a temporary 'mask' to proteins so the proteins can pass through the cell membrane into human cells. Once inside, natural cellular enzymes remove the mask so the protein returns to its normal, active form. The team will study how these modified proteins get into cells and how cells reverse the modification, and will test the method using proteins that can kill tumor cells, suppress tumors, or enable genome editing. They will also explore attaching therapeutic pieces like oligonucleotides to cell surfaces for other potential treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with cancers or genetic diseases caused by defects inside cells — for example tumors that need intracellular-targeted proteins or people who might benefit from protein-based genome editing — would be the most likely eventual candidates.
Not a fit: People whose conditions are treated by drugs acting outside cells, or those looking for immediate treatment benefits, are unlikely to get direct help from this early-stage laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could create new protein-based treatments that reach targets inside cells, enabling therapies for cancers, genetic disorders, and other conditions currently hard to treat.
How similar studies have performed: Related techniques like cell-penetrating peptides and small-molecule prodrugs have shown promise, but chemically esterifying proteins to enable cellular entry is a novel and early-stage approach.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Raines, Ronald T — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Raines, Ronald T
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 below.