Peptide shapes to block harmful protein partnerships in disease
Identifying favorable regions of the conformational landscapes of peptides and peptidomimetics
This project looks for peptide-like molecules that can both bind disease-related proteins and enter cells, with the goal of creating new treatments for cancers driven by those protein interactions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324153 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are designing and testing short peptides and peptidomimetics to find shapes that both bind disease-related proteins and can get into cells. They will map how these molecules move between compact and flexible shapes to find ones that balance strong binding with good cell permeability. Lab experiments will test binding to targets such as the melanoma antigen MAGE-A4 and measure how well the molecules enter cells and affect interactions linked to chemotherapy resistance. The work is carried out at UNC Chapel Hill and aims to produce molecular templates that could be developed into future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients whose tumors express the MAGE-A4 protein, or who are willing to provide tumor samples or participate in future early-phase trials, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People seeking an immediate clinical treatment or those with conditions unrelated to protein-protein interactions are unlikely to benefit directly from this early-stage lab research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to peptide-based therapies that disrupt disease-causing protein interactions and improve responses to treatments like chemotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous approaches like peptide stapling and cyclization have produced potent binders but often have poor cell permeability, and the focus on compact yet flexible scaffolds is a relatively new strategy.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knight, Abigail — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Knight, Abigail
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.