Understanding protein forms in disease with advanced mass spectrometry
Official title: A multi-level mass spectrometry pipeline for the analysis of whole proteoforms and their complexes
Funded at University of Oklahoma · NIH-11361645 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researchers team will use a cutting-edge mass spectrometry approach to map and measure the full shape and connections of disease-related proteins in human biology.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norman, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $380,398 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM147397-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361645 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with diseases where proteoform alterations play a role may benefit from future biomarker discovery and tailored treatments.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient benefit is guaranteed; outcomes are primarily scientific and methodological in nature.
What this research studies
This project aims to analyze proteoforms—the different ways proteins can exist in the body—at multiple levels to understand how they contribute to disease. By improving the ability to determine exact protein structure, how abundant each form is, and how protein complexes behave, the study seeks to reveal new molecular insights that could inform future therapies. The work focuses on developing and applying a top-down proteomics pipeline that can handle large protein forms and their interactions in intact biological samples. Results could help identify new biomarkers and mechanisms underlying disease progression. The research is led by Luca Fornelli at the University of Oklahoma, with a focus on advancing proteomics technologies to better study human disease biology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could provide deeper molecular insights into disease processes and generate data that may guide development of targeted diagnostics or therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Top-down proteomics has shown promise, but translating it to large proteoforms and complex assemblies remains a challenge; this project aims to push those boundaries.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma
Norman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fornelli, Luca — University of Oklahoma
- Study coordinator: Fornelli, Luca
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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.