Improving techniques to study proteins that bind to cell membranes
Official title: UV Plasmon-Enhanced Chiroptical Spectroscopy of Membrane-Binding Proteins
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11098889 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on better ways to study important proteins that stick to cell membranes, using new techniques to help scientists see and understand how these proteins work in their natural settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $115,771 |
| NIH project number | 3R01GM150225-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11098889 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals with conditions related to membrane-binding protein dysfunction, such as certain metabolic or neurodegenerative disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to membrane-binding proteins or those who do not have any protein-related disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the techniques used to analyze membrane-binding proteins, which are crucial for many biological processes. By combining two advanced spectroscopic methods, circular dichroism (CD) and Raman optical activity (ROA), the study aims to overcome current limitations in sensitivity that hinder the characterization of these proteins. The researchers will develop new plasmon-enhanced techniques to improve the detection and analysis of these proteins in their natural environments, potentially leading to better understanding of their functions and interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in understanding how membrane-binding proteins function, which may inform the development of new therapies for various diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the combination of CD and ROA has been explored, the specific approach of using plasmon-enhanced techniques for membrane-binding proteins is relatively novel and has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reinhard, Bjoern Markus — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Reinhard, Bjoern Markus
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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.