NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding complex biological systems for drug discovery

Official title: Learning How to Give Casual Explanations for Large Scale Virtual and Morphological Pharmacology

Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10930857 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is all about finding better ways to discover new drugs by using advanced technology to closely look at how they work in complex biological systems, which could help create more effective treatments and save money by avoiding problems later on.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project startSeptember 20, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$381,484
NIH project number5R35GM151129-02
Project IDNIH-10930857 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that require innovative drug therapies and those interested in participating in advanced drug discovery processes.

Less likely to help

Patients with conditions that are not being targeted by the specific drug discovery efforts of this research may not receive any benefit.

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving drug discovery by developing advanced statistical methods to analyze complex biological systems, such as 3D organoids and large-scale virtual screenings. By moving beyond traditional simple models, the research aims to better understand how drugs interact with biological systems at a more precise level. The approach involves using advanced technologies like robotic confocal microscopes and multiplexed fluorescent dyes to gather detailed data on cellular interactions. This could lead to more effective drug development processes and reduce the costs associated with late-stage failures.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and targeted drug therapies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using complex biological models for drug discovery, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
    Ann Arbor, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: O'meara, Matthew J — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
  • Study coordinator: O'meara, Matthew J

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.