Understanding how proteins transfer electrons and react to light
Official title: Predictive methods for simulating redox reactions and charge transfer in proteins
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11090882 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new online tool to help scientists understand how proteins that help with light reactions move electrons, which could lead to better treatments for infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $408,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM158160-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11090882 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with conditions that could be treated by novel antimicrobial therapies or those interested in the biochemical mechanisms of protein functions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to protein function or electron transfer processes may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing advanced computational methods to simulate how proteins, particularly those involved in light reactions, transfer electrons and undergo redox reactions. By integrating theoretical chemistry with experimental data, the project aims to create predictive models that can accurately estimate redox potentials and electron transfer rates in proteins. A key tool being developed is a web-based software called eMap, which automates the identification of efficient electron transfer pathways in proteins based on their structural data. This approach could enhance our understanding of biological processes and improve the design of antimicrobial agents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for diseases by improving our understanding of protein functions and interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in computational chemistry and protein interactions has shown promise, indicating that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bravaya, Ksenia — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Bravaya, Ksenia
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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.