LipiX-MS: A new method to map how lipids stick to proteins
Official title: Center: LipiX-MS: Chemical Crosslinking Mass Spectrometry Approach for Decoding Lipid-Protein Interactions
Funded at Texas A&m University · NIH-11331686 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new crosslinking mass spectrometry method is being developed to precisely map how lipids interact with proteins, which could reveal how these interactions influence Alzheimer’s disease biology.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $414,114 |
| NIH project number | 2R35GM143047-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11331686 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias may benefit from discoveries about lipid–protein interactions that influence disease processes.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or patients with conditions unrelated to lipid–protein interactions may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project creates a specialized platform called LipiX-MS that uses lipid–protein crosslinkers to capture and identify where lipids bind to proteins. It will show how proteins change shape when lipids bind, helping us understand the role of lipids in cellular function and disease. The work relies on innovative chemistry to connect lipids to nearby protein pieces and read them with mass spectrometry. Proof-of-concept data will use oleic acid and a model lipid-binding protein to demonstrate the approach. If successful, this method could become a powerful tool for studying lipid–protein interactions relevant to neurodegenerative diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If LipiX-MS succeeds, it could unlock detailed maps of lipid–protein interactions that underlie Alzheimer’s disease, guiding future diagnostics and therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous methods have provided partial insights; this approach aims to offer higher-resolution, site-specific information on lipid–protein interactions.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yan, Xin — Texas A&m University
- Study coordinator: Yan, Xin
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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.