Improving how we see proteins to understand diseases
Official title: A multi-level mass spectrometry pipeline for the analysis of whole proteoforms and their complexes
Funded at University of Oklahoma · NIH-11129844 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to create better tools for looking closely at all the different forms of proteins in our bodies, which helps us understand how diseases start.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norman, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $380,398 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM147397-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129844 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
While this project does not directly involve patients, future research using this advanced technology could benefit individuals living with a wide range of diseases by providing a deeper understanding of their condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical intervention will not find direct benefit from this foundational technology development.
What this research studies
Our bodies contain countless proteins, each existing in many slightly different forms called proteoforms, which are crucial for how our cells work and how diseases develop. Currently, it's challenging to get a complete picture of these proteoforms, especially the larger ones and how they interact in complex groups. This research is developing new ways to use advanced technology, called mass spectrometry, to precisely measure and understand these protein forms at a much deeper level. By improving these tools, scientists can gain clearer insights into the molecular changes that happen when someone gets sick.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new technology could help scientists discover the exact protein changes linked to various diseases, potentially leading to new ways to diagnose or treat them.
How similar studies have gone: This field, known as top-down proteomics, is still developing, and this project aims to overcome current limitations to make it a more widely usable and scalable approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma
Norman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fornelli, Luca — University of Oklahoma
- Study coordinator: Fornelli, Luca
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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.