Understanding how rapidly changing proteins affect bacterial infections
Official title: Functions of Rapidly-Evolving Proteins and Their Roles in Pathogenicity
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10984730 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is using smart computer tools to create detailed 3D models of tricky proteins in bacteria that change a lot, helping scientists understand how these proteins work and how they might cause infections, which could lead to better ways to fight bacterial illnesses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $104,976 |
| NIH project number | 1K99AI180984-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10984730 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with infections caused by rapidly evolving bacterial pathogens.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by stable or non-evolving bacterial strains may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates rapidly evolving proteins in bacteria, which change their functions and active sites frequently, making them difficult to study. By utilizing advanced artificial intelligence methods, such as AlphaFold, the project aims to create accurate 3D models of these proteins, allowing researchers to better understand their roles in bacterial pathogenicity. The study will also explore protein-protein interactions to gain insights into the functions of these proteins. This innovative approach could lead to breakthroughs in how we understand and combat bacterial infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating bacterial infections by targeting rapidly evolving proteins.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using AI and 3D modeling to study protein structures, indicating that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Jing — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Jing
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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.