image: Dr. Yu-Ming Mindy Huang, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Wayne State University, received a $1.98 million NIH award to develop next-generation computational modeling tools.
Credit: Wayne State University
DETROIT — With the help of a five-year, nearly $1.98 million Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) (R35) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, researchers at Wayne State University aim to make strides in understanding how proteins move and interact in living cells through the development of next-generation computational modeling tools.
The study will be led by Dr. Yu-Ming Mindy Huang, assistant professor of physics and astronomy in Wayne State’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Her study, “Innovative Multiscale Modeling Techniques for Membrane-Bound Protein," is designed to overcome limitations in current research methods by building a higher-accuracy computer microscope to investigate the diffusion and interactions of membrane-bound proteins. Huang’s research addresses a core challenge in computational biology: creating models that are both highly detailed and capable of simulating biologically relevant timescales.
"The computer tools we use today force us to choose between atomic precision and simulating long enough to see a meaningful biological event," said Huang. "Our goal is to create a unified framework that gives us both."
The research has two complementary directions for application: First, Huang’s team will develop new computational tools and apply them to model the diffusion and interactions of critical viral proteins, such as the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This will provide fundamental insights that can accelerate drug discovery, coronavirus vaccine development and treatments for viral systems. Second, the team will investigate the complex protein networks that regulate fat storage on lipid droplets, focusing on how these regulatory proteins interact with the lipid droplet membranes. This aims to advance understanding of lipid metabolism and inform potential therapeutic strategies for diseases like diabetes and cancer.
"I chose this research focus because studying diffusion and interactions of membrane-bound proteins is crucial for unraveling complex biological processes, yet it's hindered by current technological limitations," said Huang. "Our laboratory is at the forefront of developing state-of-the-art computational tools that overcome these tradeoffs. This will not only enhance our knowledge of viral proteins like the SARS-CoV-2 spike but also reveal how proteins control lipid storage and release, which may lead to breakthroughs in treating metabolic disorders and cancers linked to fat accumulation."
Huang emphasized the transformative potential of these innovations.
"By leading the creation of new multiscale modeling techniques, we're equipping the scientific community with powerful tools for the next era of computational biology,” she said. “This could revolutionize how we approach drug design and personalized therapies, ultimately benefiting public health by addressing root causes of widespread diseases."
“The NIH R35 MIRA program supports scientists with strong track records who pursue ambitious and long-term research programs,” said Dr. Ezemenari M. Obasi, vice president for research and innovation at Wayne State. “Dr. Huang’s work exemplifies the integration of cutting-edge computational modeling with medical insight, and I am excited to see the transformative impact it will have.”
The grant number for this award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health is GM160192.
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Wayne State University is one of the nation’s pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world. For more information about research at Wayne State University, visit research.wayne.edu.