Understanding mucins and designing new biomaterials for diseases
Official title: Modeling the mucosal glycopeptide mesh for improved disease understanding and mucin-inspired biomaterial design
Funded at Northeastern University · NIH-10931398 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special proteins called mucins that play a big role in health and diseases like cystic fibrosis and some cancers, and it's using new computer tools to better understand how these proteins work and change in different conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $400,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151231-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931398 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cystic fibrosis or mucosal inflammation, as well as those affected by mucin-related cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to mucins or those not affected by the diseases being studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the role of mucins, which are sugar-coated proteins, in various biological processes and diseases. By improving computational tools for modeling these proteins, the research aims to create better models of mucin networks that mimic their natural structure and function. The study will explore how changes in pH, glycosylation patterns, and charge distribution affect mucins, which could lead to insights into conditions like cystic fibrosis and certain cancers. The approach combines advanced modeling techniques and machine learning to predict how these molecular systems behave.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for diseases related to mucins, such as cystic fibrosis and mucin-mediated cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using computational modeling to understand complex biological systems, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Northeastern University
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chakraborty, Srirupa — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Chakraborty, Srirupa
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.