Understanding how cell surface sugars interact with proteins
Official title: Role of Membrane Dynamics In Cell Surface Glycan Recognition
Funded at Texas Engineering Experiment Station · NIH-11011910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain proteins called lectins interact with sugar molecules on cell surfaces, which could help us understand important processes in our bodies and lead to new treatments for health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Engineering Experiment Station NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $382,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM156609-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions related to cellular dysfunction or glycan-related diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to glycan interactions or cellular processes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the interactions between lectins, which are proteins that recognize sugars on cell surfaces, and glycans, the sugar molecules themselves. By examining how these interactions are influenced by the arrangement of glycans on the cell membrane, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that control various cellular processes. The researchers will use advanced microscopy and computational modeling techniques to explore these interactions in detail, providing insights that could lead to new therapeutic strategies. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of how these processes affect health and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into cellular functions that may improve treatments for various diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding glycan interactions, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Engineering Experiment Station
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Hung-Jen — Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- Study coordinator: Wu, Hung-Jen
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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.