Tunable Protein Linkers in Palladin: How Linker Length and Phosphorylation Shape Cell Skeleton
Official title: Tunable Protein Linkers as Therapeutic Targets: Structural Insights from Palladin Ig Domains
Funded at Wichita State University · NIH-11360501 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how the flexible linkers between Palladin protein domains affect cell movement and mechanics, with findings that could inform therapies targeting cell behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wichita State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wichita, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $509,538 |
| NIH project number | 2R15GM140422-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360501 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable here as this is a basic science project at a university; patient participation is not part of the study.
✕Less likely to help
There is no direct patient involvement in this basic science project.
What this research studies
This project investigates how the sequence, length, and phosphorylation of the linker between Palladin Ig3 and Ig4 domains influence structure, actin binding, and mechanical stability. It uses protein engineering, SAXS, NMR spectroscopy, and magnetic tweezers force microscopy to study how linker features affect communication between domains and remodeling of the cell’s cytoskeleton. Conducted at Wichita State University, the work will involve undergraduate students in design, purification, and detailed structural tests, with structured mentorship and opportunities to present at scientific meetings and publish results. A magnetic tweezers platform will be developed to support mechanobiology research long-term at the institution. The project aims to provide mechanistic insights into cytoskeletal regulation and to create hands-on research experiences for students, aligning with NIH’s AREA program goals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help scientists design better approaches to influence cell movement and stability, which are relevant to cancer metastasis and tissue repair.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in cytoskeletal biology and mechanobiology supports the feasibility of linking linker dynamics to domain function; this project extends those concepts to Palladin specifically.
Where this research is happening
-
Wichita State University
Wichita, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beck, Moriah R — Wichita State University
- Study coordinator: Beck, Moriah R
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.