Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of New Mexico received a $600,620 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074), effective June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2031. This CAREER award supports research investigating protein-RNA binding dynamics through advanced spectroscopy and computational modeling. The primary deliverables include quantitative mapping of biomolecular recognition and binding processes across multiple timescales (microseconds to hundreds of seconds) using single-molecule spectroscopic methods and non-canonical nucleotide analogues as fluorescent labels. The research aims to characterize rare, thermally excited conformational states of RNA molecules that mediate protein recognition and binding, thereby advancing fundamental understanding of nucleic acid-protein interactions critical to genetic information flow, viral infection mechanisms, and other biological processes.

Beyond research outputs, the award includes significant educational components designed to strengthen workforce development in biological engineering. The project will provide specialized training to early-career researchers in the design and operation of custom-built spectroscopic equipment—technical skills that are scientifically critical but underrepresented in traditional academic curricula. This integrated research and education approach aligns with the Biological Sciences program's emphasis on both advancing fundamental knowledge and building the nation's scientific workforce capacity.