How flexible (disordered) proteins affect health and disease
Disordered Proteins and Dynamic Interactions in Biology and Diseases.
Scientists are combining lab experiments and detailed computer simulations to understand how flexible proteins behave in cells and how that matters for people with cancer, heart, brain, or metabolic diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11292412 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses laboratory measurements together with advanced molecular simulations to map the range of shapes and motions that intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) adopt in cells. Researchers will focus on proteins linked to cancer, heart disease, neurodegeneration, and diabetes to see how disease changes their behavior. By quantifying whole ensembles of conformations rather than single average structures, the team hopes to reveal mechanisms by which mutations or drug molecules alter protein function. Most work is done at the bench and on computers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst rather than through patient visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with cancers, certain cardiac conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, or diabetes are the patient groups whose biology this research focuses on and who might benefit from future therapies informed by these findings.
Not a fit: This project does not offer direct treatments or clinical trials, so patients seeking immediate therapy or enrollment in clinical studies will not directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new drug targets or strategies to correct dysfunctional protein behavior in cancer, heart disease, neurodegeneration, and diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior experimental and computational work has shown that intrinsically disordered proteins are important in disease, but applying high-resolution, quantitative simulations to disease mechanisms is a relatively new and evolving approach.
Where this research is happening
Hadley, United States
- University of Massachusetts Amherst — Hadley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Jianhan — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Chen, Jianhan
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.