Understanding how heparan sulfate interacts with proteins
Official title: Identifying Key Structural Interactions in Heparan Sulfate-Protein Complexes
Funded at California State Univ-Dominguez Hills · NIH-10896219 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special sugar in our cells interacts with proteins, especially one related to HIV, to better understand how these interactions affect things like how cells stick together and how our immune system works, which could help in creating new treatments for related diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California State Univ-Dominguez Hills NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Carson, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $183,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM150704-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10896219 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with autoimmune diseases or those affected by viral infections like HIV.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to heparan sulfate interactions or those not affected by autoimmune diseases or viral infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the interactions between heparan sulfate, a type of carbohydrate found in the extracellular matrix of cells, and various proteins. By utilizing synthetic libraries of heparan sulfate and advanced NMR techniques, the project aims to identify key structural interactions that influence biological processes such as cell adhesion and immune response. The initial focus will be on the HIV-1 p17 protein, which plays a crucial role in the virus's life cycle. This work could lead to new insights that may inform drug development for diseases linked to these interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases and viral infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding glycosaminoglycan interactions, but this specific approach using synthetic libraries and NMR is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
California State Univ-Dominguez Hills
Carson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pederson, Kari Joanne — California State Univ-Dominguez Hills
- Study coordinator: Pederson, Kari Joanne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Long-lasting gel for replacing the vitreous in the eye
A new biopolymer gel is being developed to act as a safe, long-term substitute for the eye’s natural vitreous, with the goal of helping people who need vitrectomy maintain retina health.
-
Going STRONG Together at CSUDH
A UC2 grant helps CSUDH strengthen its biomedical research environment so that more students and community members can participate in health research.
-
Emotional Awareness and Body Signals in Teens After Childhood Hardship
This grant studies how sensing body states and differentiating feelings relate to stress and mental health in youth who faced adversity.
-
Understanding How Heparan Sulfate Interacts with Proteins to Influence Immune and Viral Processes
Researchers are studying how complex sugar chains on cell surfaces interact with proteins to influence immune responses and viral infections, with HIV-1 as a starting point.
-
Powerful computing engine to boost biomedical education and research at CSU Dominguez Hills
A centralized high-performance computer system will be acquired to help students and faculty develop advanced computational skills for biomedical research.
-
2-laser flow cytometer to study immune cells and cancer markers
A 2-laser flow cytometer will be acquired to help study immune cells and cancer-related markers in clinical samples, improving how we analyze cell types and disease signals.
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.