Understanding Human Protein Changes with Barcodes

High-throughput biochemistry with RNA-barcoded proteins

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-11118849

This project is creating a new way to quickly understand how changes in human proteins affect their function, which can help us learn more about diseases.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11118849 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many changes in our DNA lead to variations in proteins, but we often don't know how these changes affect our health. This project aims to develop a new method that uses tiny RNA 'barcodes' to quickly test how different protein variations behave. By linking each protein variant to its own barcode, scientists can test many versions at once and use DNA sequencing to read the results. This approach allows proteins to be studied in conditions similar to those inside our bodies, including in human cells, to see how they fold, interact with other molecules, or respond to changes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational work does not directly involve patient participation but aims to provide insights into human protein variants that are relevant to many different diseases.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical interventions or direct treatment options would not directly benefit from this early-stage technology development.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this method could help doctors better understand the impact of genetic changes on protein function, leading to more accurate diagnoses and potentially new treatment strategies for various conditions.

How similar studies have performed: This project proposes a novel high-throughput method for characterizing protein variants, building on existing biochemical and sequencing technologies.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.