NIH-funded research R15 grant

Investigating how temperature affects enzyme reactions and their efficiency

Official title: Temperature Dependence of Hydride Kinetic Isotope Effects in Solution to Test the Proposed Role of Protein Dynamics in Enzyme Catalysis

Funded at Southern Illinois Univ at Edwardsville · NIH-10580264 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study looks at how temperature affects the way proteins work in enzymes, which could help scientists create better drugs for patients by understanding how these enzymes speed up chemical reactions in the body.

Quick facts

Grant typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSouthern Illinois Univ at Edwardsville
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Edwardsville, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2022
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2022
Award (this year)$433,500
NIH project number1R15GM148951-01
Project IDNIH-10580264 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals requiring innovative drug therapies or those involved in clinical trials for new medications.

Less likely to help

Patients with conditions that do not involve enzyme-related drug metabolism may not receive direct benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research explores the relationship between protein dynamics and enzyme catalysis, focusing on how temperature influences the kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) in enzymatic reactions. By examining hydrogen tunneling reactions, the study aims to understand how variations in donor-acceptor distances impact enzyme efficiency. The methodology involves analyzing how temperature changes affect these distances and the resulting reaction rates, which could lead to insights into designing better drugs and biocatalysts. Patients may benefit from advancements in drug development that arise from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more efficient drugs and biocatalysts, improving treatment options for patients.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding kinetic isotope effects can lead to significant advancements in enzyme catalysis, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

  • Southern Illinois Univ at Edwardsville
    Edwardsville, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Lu, Yun — Southern Illinois Univ at Edwardsville
  • Study coordinator: Lu, Yun

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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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.