NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Multi-Resolution Docking Tools for Cryo-EM Structures

Official title: Multi-Resolution Docking Methods for Electron Microscopy

Funded at Old Dominion University · NIH-11392502 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A research project to improve computational methods for fitting atomic models into cryo-EM and cryo-ET maps, helping scientists understand complex cellular machinery.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOld Dominion University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Norfolk, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$395,754
NIH project number5R35GM153431-03
Project IDNIH-11392502 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Researchers and clinicians who work with cryo-EM/cryo-ET data and need accurate atomic models of macromolecular assemblies.

Less likely to help

This grant does not involve direct patient participation or clinical interventions.

What this research studies

This project aims to advance how we build and validate atomic models from cryo-EM data, including tomography for looking at cells and tissues. It will develop and test multi-scale docking and modeling approaches that integrate deep learning predictions with experimental maps. The work involves rigorous benchmarking to ensure models fit well into local density and reflect true biological structure. The ultimate goal is to provide reliable tools that can help researchers interpret complex cellular assemblies in health and disease. Participants would benefit from clearer structural insights that could guide future experiments and therapies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit indirectly through faster and more accurate understanding of disease-related structures, potentially guiding drug design and targeted therapies.

How similar studies have gone: Related modeling and validation approaches have shown improvements in model accuracy when integrating cryo-EM data with predictive structures like AlphaFold.

Where this research is happening

  • Old Dominion University
    Norfolk, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Wriggers, Willy R — Old Dominion University
  • Study coordinator: Wriggers, Willy R

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.