Understanding how charged transfer and excited states work in bacteria and light-sensitive proteins
Official title: Investigation of Long-Range Charge Transfer and Excited State Processes in Biochemical Systems
Funded at Syracuse University · NIH-11377708 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A grant to study how atomic-level changes in bacterial systems and light-responsive proteins affect their function and interactions with their natural environments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Syracuse University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $373,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150874-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377708 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-intervention study; not applicable to patient enrollment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with environmental exposure may not directly participate or benefit from this basic-science work.
What this research studies
This project uses computer models and experiments to map how charge transfer and excited states operate in bacterial membrane proteins and light-sensitive proteins within their native surroundings. It focuses on Shewanella oneidensis and similar systems to understand respiration, bioremediation, and how light-driven processes influence protein behavior. The goal is to connect molecular-level events to larger-scale observations that could improve environmental cleanup and imaging techniques. Results could inform smarter ways to design biotechnologies that rely on these proteins.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better bioremediation methods and improved bioimaging tools.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies using molecular modeling have provided insight into excited-state processes, though this project emphasizes native environments for more accurate understanding.
Where this research is happening
-
Syracuse University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Acharya, Atanu — Syracuse University
- Study coordinator: Acharya, Atanu
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.