Understanding how fats attach to proteins and influence their behavior
Official title: Genetically Encoded Lipidation to Manipulate Structure, Assembly, and Phase Behavior of Proteins
Funded at Syracuse University · NIH-11145002 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand how fats attach to human proteins and how these changes might contribute to various diseases.
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 | September 22, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $375,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM142899-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145002 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational work is not directly recruiting patients but aims to help those with diseases related to how fats attach to proteins.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment options would not directly benefit from this foundational research.
What this research studies
Many human proteins have fats attached to them, which is crucial for how cells function and communicate. We currently lack a full understanding of how these fat attachments affect a protein's shape, energy, and overall function, especially in the context of human diseases. This work uses advanced genetic engineering techniques in simple organisms to create many different versions of these fat-modified proteins. By systematically studying these proteins, we can uncover the fundamental rules governing how fats interact with proteins and how these interactions might lead to health problems. This deeper knowledge is essential for developing new strategies to address diseases linked to protein changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could uncover new ways that protein changes contribute to disease, potentially leading to new treatment ideas.
How similar studies have gone: While the importance of fat-protein attachments is known, this project uses a novel genetic engineering approach to overcome previous challenges in studying them.
Where this research is happening
-
Syracuse University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mozhdehi , Davoud — Syracuse University
- Study coordinator: Mozhdehi , Davoud
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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.