New peptides and small molecules to block harmful cell signaling in cancer and viral infections
Official title: Peptides and small-molecules targeting signaling proteins and protein-protein interfaces
Funded at University of New Hampshire · NIH-11091168 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops peptides, small molecules, and nanobodies that act on signaling proteins linked to cancer and viral infections so they could become more precise treatments for people with those conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Hampshire NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $433,750 |
| NIH project number | 2R35GM138217-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091168 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with cancers driven by abnormal signaling proteins or patients affected by SARS‑CoV‑2 might be candidates for future clinical testing of therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose conditions do not involve the targeted signaling proteins, or those needing immediate standard care, are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research.
What this research studies
Scientists will use computer modeling and laboratory experiments to find and target allosteric sites—places on proteins away from the usual active spot—that can change how disease-related proteins work. The team will focus on three groups of proteins: hormone and visual receptors, G-protein signaling regulators, and the SARS‑CoV‑2 protease. They will design and make peptides, covalent and non-covalent small molecules, and nanobodies, then test whether these compounds bind and alter protein function in biochemical and cell-based assays. Success in the lab could guide development of new drugs that work more selectively and with fewer side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more selective therapies for cancers, metabolic diseases, and viral infections such as COVID‑19.
How similar studies have gone: Allosteric drugs and nanobodies have shown success in some areas (for example certain GPCRs), but applying these approaches to many receptors and to the SARS‑CoV‑2 protease is still relatively new and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
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University of New Hampshire
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vashisth, Harish — University of New Hampshire
- Study coordinator: Vashisth, Harish
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.