Improving how we see tiny structures in our bodies

From complex data to complex structures: new methods for structural biology

NIH-funded research Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11159481

This project is creating better ways to analyze detailed images of molecules, helping us understand how cells work and design new medicines.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUt Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Dallas, United States)
Project IDNIH-11159481 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Our bodies are made of tiny structures, and seeing them clearly helps us understand health and disease. This project develops advanced computer methods to process complex data from powerful imaging tools like X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. These new methods will allow scientists to get clearer, more reliable pictures of molecules, even from very small samples. By improving how we analyze these images, we can better understand cellular processes and create more effective drug designs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients who might benefit are those with conditions that could be treated by new drugs or those whose diseases are better understood through detailed molecular insights.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options or direct clinical trial participation would not directly benefit from this foundational methods development.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could speed up the discovery of new drugs and provide a deeper understanding of the molecular causes of various diseases.

How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon existing structural biology techniques, introducing novel data analysis approaches to expand their capabilities and improve reliability.

Where this research is happening

Dallas, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.