Reactive sulfur molecules and how they affect health
Explore the Chemistry and Chemical Biology of Reactive Sulfur Species
Researchers are developing chemical tools to detect, deliver, and remove reactive sulfur molecules that can influence many diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308274 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program studies small sulfur-containing molecules like hydrogen sulfide, persulfides, and polysulfides that act in cell signaling and disease. The team will make and test new chemical donors that release these molecules, scavengers that remove them, and improved fluorescent dyes and sensors to track them in biological systems. They will also map how these molecules modify proteins and affect cell chemistry using lab experiments and chemical analyses. The goal is to build better tools and a clearer understanding that can guide future diagnostics or treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with conditions linked to altered sulfur signaling or oxidative stress—such as some heart, brain, or inflammatory diseases—could be future beneficiaries of these advances.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatments or those with diseases unrelated to sulfur/redox biology are unlikely to get direct benefit from this lab-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new diagnostic sensors and chemical strategies that help detect or correct harmful sulfur-related changes in disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have produced early-generation donors, scavengers, and sensors, so this project builds on promising but still-developing chemistry and tools.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Brown University — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xian, Ming — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Xian, Ming
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.