Mapping how human cell surface proteins connect with secreted signals
A Global Map of Interactions Among Human Cell Surface Proteins and Secreted Ligands
This project builds a large map showing which proteins on human cell surfaces bind to which secreted signals, to help researchers find new treatment targets.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176385 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work will test interactions between proteins that sit on human cell surfaces and proteins that are secreted, using high-throughput lab binding tests. The team plans to examine roughly 2,000 single-pass cell-surface proteins and about 200 secreted factors, creating millions of pairwise tests to identify which proteins bind each other. Key interactions will then be studied in human immune and nervous system cells to see how they change cell behavior. The goal is a publicly useful map that guides future studies and drug discovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients directly, but people with cancer, autoimmune conditions, or neurological disorders are the most likely candidates for future studies and trials that use its findings.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to cell-surface receptor or secreted-protein biology (for example uncomplicated orthopedic injuries) are unlikely to see direct benefit from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this map could reveal new drug targets and pathways that lead to better treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Focused discoveries of protein interactions such as PD-1/PD-L1 led to major therapies, but producing a complete global map of human cell-surface interactions at this scale is novel.
Where this research is happening
Pasadena, United States
- California Institute of Technology — Pasadena, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zinn, Kai G — California Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Zinn, Kai G
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 below.