How membrane fats control receptor proteins

Biophysical Mechanisms of Lipid-Receptor Interactions

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · NIH-11259703

This work looks at how fats in cell membranes change the shape and signals of human receptor proteins to help us understand diseases and improve treatments.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (nih funded)
Locations1 site (GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11259703 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Researchers will use powerful lab methods, especially NMR spectroscopy, to watch how membrane lipids interact with human receptor proteins and change their shapes and activity. They will combine those physical measurements with drug-response and signaling tests to link molecular changes to cellular effects. The team aims to define general rules for lipid–receptor interactions and move toward seeing these events inside human cells and tissues. Results could guide better drug design by revealing how the membrane environment alters receptor behavior.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with conditions tied to receptor signaling (for example many heart, lung, metabolic, or nervous system disorders) or those willing to donate blood or tissue samples for lab studies would be most relevant to this work.

Not a fit: Patients needing immediate clinical treatments for their condition are unlikely to receive direct or immediate benefit from this basic laboratory research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help design more effective and precise drugs that target receptor proteins with fewer side effects.

How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory work from this team showed new ways lipids shape receptor behavior, so the approach builds on successful basic-science findings but clinical translation remains early.

Where this research is happening

GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.