Improving how we predict electronic behavior in DNA for smarter therapies
Official title: Improving multi-scale characterization of nucleic acids and DNA nanotechnology toward therapeutic design
Funded at University of New Mexico · NIH-11446428 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project at the University of New Mexico uses AI, quantum chemistry, and simulations to better predict how DNA and related molecules behave, which could speed up designing safer, more effective therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $404,464 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM167013-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446428 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients or study populations affected by diseases where nucleic-acid–targeted therapies are being developed or considered in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits are unlikely for individuals not involved in or impacted by nucleic-acid–targeted therapeutic design.
What this research studies
This project combines quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, and machine learning to predict electron densities, energies, and forces in nucleic acids and related biomolecular complexes. By training neural networks on high-quality calculations and MD sampling, the team aims to create accurate, scalable models of biomolecular electronic structure. The goal is to provide insights that could guide the design and testing of therapeutics that target DNA and its interactions. The work focuses on translating complex quantum information into practical tools for understanding biomolecular behavior in therapy contexts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from faster, more accurate design of DNA- or nucleic-acid–targeted therapies with better predicted safety and effectiveness.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts show that AI models can reasonably approximate quantum-level properties for biomolecules, with ongoing work improving accuracy and scope.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bricker, William P — University of New Mexico
- Study coordinator: Bricker, William P
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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.