Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Colorado received a $450,000 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Materials Research under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049), awarded July 15, 2026, with completion targeted for June 30, 2029. The research focuses on developing pH-sensitive affinity molecules and multivalent therapeutic agents designed to enhance tumor penetration and retention for cancer treatment. The project addresses a critical limitation in current targeted cancer therapies: while therapeutic proteins such as antibodies exhibit strong binding specificity, their high affinity prevents deep penetration into solid tumors, causing accumulation at tumor peripheries rather than reaching interior regions where treatment is needed. The research team will engineer molecules with dynamic binding properties that adjust over time and design larger molecular structures capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously to achieve optimal balance between target engagement and tissue penetration.

The deliverables include biotechnologically engineered therapeutic candidates incorporating pH-responsive binding mechanisms and multivalency strategies, alongside design guidelines for next-generation cancer treatment molecules. The project will advance both scientific knowledge and practical clinical applications by providing a framework for balancing affinity and mobility in tumor-targeting therapeutics. Additionally, the award includes an educational component engaging K-12 and undergraduate students while building research and scientific communication skills among graduate and college-level trainees, thereby supporting workforce development in biotechnology and cancer research disciplines.