Understanding how sugars and proteins behave during a common mass-spec process
Official title: Assessing the Biomolecular Structures that Result from Electrospray Ionization
Funded at Baylor University · NIH-11389480 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how complex sugars (glycans) and proteins change when they’re sprayed into gas for mass spectrometry, to better read their structures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $350,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150464-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389480 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-facing clinical study; this is a foundational science project.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation is expected in this grant.
What this research studies
This project blends computer simulations with lab measurements to see how electrospray ionization alters the shapes of glycans and proteins. By modeling protonation and charge transfer during the process, the team aims to improve how we interpret MS data and understand molecular structures in biology. The work could help researchers analyze carbohydrate-protein interactions more accurately, which are crucial for signaling and host-microbe relationships. The findings may lead to better analytical methods for studying biological molecules in health and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better, more accurate methods for analyzing carbohydrate–protein structures could advance research in biology and medicine.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work combining MD simulations with MS has improved understanding of ionization, but this project aims to advance the molecular-level perspective further.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor University
Waco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gallagher, Elyssia S — Baylor University
- Study coordinator: Gallagher, Elyssia S
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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.