Synthetic platforms to map how multivalent recognition shapes biology
Official title: Synthetic Platforms for Defining Rules of Multivalent Recognition and Communication
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11430150 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are building programmable polymer scaffolds to uncover how the arrangement and density of molecules influence cellular communication and tissue-like assembly, with potential implications for disease biology.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $386,811 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM166033-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11430150 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable in this basic science grant; the work does not enroll patients.
✕Less likely to help
There is no direct patient enrollment or intervention in this foundational research.
What this research studies
This project creates defined, 3-D polymer scaffolds that vary density, topology, and stereochemistry to study how multivalent interactions govern receptor clustering and matrix organization. By using standardized assays, the team aims to establish benchmarks for how macromolecular architecture changes biological outcomes. Over five years, they will develop a panel of polymers and test how each architectural feature affects recognition and assembly at molecular, supramolecular, and cellular levels. The work is designed to reveal general rules that could inform future therapies and biomaterials. The project also includes a plan to ensure reproducibility and scalable platforms for broader use in the field.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may benefit from improved biomaterials and therapeutic strategies that leverage multivalent interactions to modulate cellular communication and tissue organization.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work in multivalency has shown that architecture can steer biological outcomes, supporting the potential of this approach to yield impactful principles.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Callmann, Cassandra Elizabeth — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Callmann, Cassandra Elizabeth
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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.