How flexible proteins behave and change in degenerative diseases
Intrinsically Disordered Protein Structural Dynamics from Combined Solution and Gas-Phase Approaches
Scientists are measuring how flexible, 'disordered' proteins fold and change to better understand problems that lead to degenerative diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311899 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses advanced lab tools—native ion mobility mass spectrometry combined with molecular simulations—to map the different shapes that intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) can adopt. Researchers will identify specific protein forms and post-translational modifications and see how those features shift protein shape under near-native conditions. The work is performed on purified protein samples and computer models in the laboratory rather than by enrolling patients. By defining precise structural ensembles and how modifications alter them, the team aims to connect particular protein forms to mechanisms behind degenerative disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This grant does not enroll participants; people with neurodegenerative or other protein-misfolding conditions could be candidates for related clinical studies in the future.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct participation in a therapeutic trial should not expect direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal abnormal protein shapes or modifications that point to new diagnostic markers or drug targets for degenerative diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Mass spectrometry and molecular dynamics have successfully characterized many folded proteins and some disordered proteins, but combining solution and gas-phase IM-MS for proteoform-specific IDP ensembles is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Webb, Ian — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Webb, Ian
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.