How blood clotting proteins recognize and control each other
Macromolecular Recognition in Coagulation
Researchers are exploring how key blood clotting proteins interact and change shape to improve understanding of bleeding and clotting disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193784 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on the prothrombinase complex and its proteins prothrombin and thrombin to learn how clotting proteins communicate across distance within and between molecules. Scientists use thermodynamic measurements, kinetic experiments, structural imaging, and biochemical tests to see how binding at one site (exosites) shifts proteins between inactive and active-like forms. They also study how a class of small molecules alters factor Xa behavior when it is part of the prothrombinase complex compared with when it is free in solution. The work aims to reveal basic mechanisms that could point toward new ways to control clotting.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with clotting or bleeding disorders who might donate blood samples or be interested in future therapies informed by these findings.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical benefit are unlikely to see direct effects because the project is lab-based mechanistic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide the design of safer anticoagulant drugs and improve therapies for bleeding disorders such as hemophilia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab studies have reported related allosteric behaviors of thrombin and factor Xa, but this project uses new thermodynamic and structural methods to address unresolved questions.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krishnaswamy, Sriram — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Krishnaswamy, Sriram
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.