Predicting protein interactions and designing peptide treatments for diabetic wounds
Integrative approaches for predicting protein interactions and applications
This project builds smarter computer tools to find how proteins bind and to design small protein pieces that might help heal diabetic wounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11091271 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will create new computer methods that combine physics ideas, biological data, and machine learning to predict how proteins stick together. They will use advances like AlphaFold alongside bioinformatics to model both ordered and disordered protein interactions. The team will design peptides that target key protein interfaces and work with lab collaborators to test and refine those peptides. The goal includes developing peptides that boost the NRF2 pathway with potential use in treating chronic diabetic wounds.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic diabetic wounds or foot ulcers who are willing to consider new peptide treatments or donate wound samples for research would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without diabetes-related wounds or those not eligible for future clinical testing of peptide therapies are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could produce new peptide-based therapies that help speed healing of diabetic wounds by activating protective NRF2 pathways.
How similar studies have performed: Tools like AlphaFold have greatly improved protein structure prediction and peptide drugs exist, but using integrated computational design to create NRF2-boosting peptides for diabetic wounds is largely new.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of Missouri-Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zou, Xiaoqin — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Zou, Xiaoqin
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.