Next-generation ways to control disease-linked proteases
Reprogramming proteases: tackling human diseases with next-generation modulators
This project uses machine learning and large molecule libraries to find protein molecules that can turn disease-related proteases on or off for people with Alzheimer's, adult-onset diabetes, or autoimmune conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193830 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are building a lab platform that lets them pick molecules directly by how they change an enzyme's activity rather than just how well they stick to it. They will combine high-throughput lab screening with machine-learning analysis to learn which molecule features cause activation or inhibition of proteases linked to diseases. The team will map how these molecules work and try to use those rules to predict modulators for related proteases. Over time this data-driven approach aims to speed up finding precise treatments for conditions tied to protease problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with Alzheimer's disease, adult-onset diabetes, or autoimmune disorders would be the likely patient groups to benefit and could be candidates for future clinical testing.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to protease dysfunction or who need immediate clinical therapies are unlikely to benefit directly from this laboratory-focused work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, more precise drugs that fix enzyme problems underlying Alzheimer's, diabetes, and some autoimmune diseases.
How similar studies have performed: There are successful protease-targeting drugs (for example ACE inhibitors and HIV protease inhibitors), but applying machine learning to directly select functional protease modulators for new disease targets is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Denard, Carl — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Denard, Carl
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.