Improving methods for crystallizing proteins to aid in disease treatment
Official title: Expanding the capabilities and usage of the TELSAM protein crystallization chaperone
Funded at Brigham Young University · NIH-10941284 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to grow protein crystals using a special helper called TELSAM, which could make it much easier to study proteins linked to diseases and help develop better treatments for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham Young University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Provo, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $278,848 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM155011-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10941284 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with diseases that are currently difficult to treat due to a lack of understanding of the underlying protein structures would be ideal candidates to benefit from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that are already well understood and have established treatments may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new protein crystallization method using a novel protein chaperone called TELSAM. By genetically fusing TELSAM to disease-related proteins, the team aims to create crystals that can be analyzed at atomic resolution, which is crucial for understanding molecular mechanisms of diseases. The TELSAM method significantly increases the success rate of crystallization from 30% to 90%, making it easier and faster to study proteins that are difficult to produce in large quantities. This advancement could streamline the process of drug development and lead to more effective treatments for various diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more effective treatments for diseases by improving the understanding of protein structures.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success with similar protein crystallization methods, indicating that this approach has the potential to be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham Young University
Provo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moody, James Daniel — Brigham Young University
- Study coordinator: Moody, James Daniel
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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.