Understanding how gene mutations cause disease and drug resistance
Official title: Unraveling molecular and system-level mechanisms of human disease-associated protein mutations
Funded at Texas Engineering Experiment Station · NIH-11397557 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how genetic changes in proteins lead to diseases and drug resistance, aiming to connect DNA variants to real-world health outcomes.
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 | September 15, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $396,002 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM124952-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397557 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with diseases linked to protein mutations and those contributing data or samples to biobank collaborations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without conditions related to the studied mutations or those not contributing data may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how genetic mutations in proteins ripple through atoms, molecules, and cells to cause disease or affect drug responses, using big genomic and phenotypic data from biobanks. It combines physics-led protein design with machine learning to predict how mutations alter biology and patient outcomes. The goal is to generate testable ideas about disease mechanisms and to translate those insights into better therapies. The work will explore forward-looking predictions and causal links across multiple biological levels to build a clearer picture of disease processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could improve prognosis, diagnostics, and treatment strategies for patients with disease-associated protein mutations and drug resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that integrating physics-based and data-driven approaches can illuminate mutational effects, with promising implications for patient care.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Engineering Experiment Station
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shen, Yang — Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- Study coordinator: Shen, Yang
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.