Federal Project Grant Award Summary

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc. received a $678,370 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859) awarded May 1, 2026, with a completion date of February 28, 2031. This award supports fundamental research on protein synthesis mechanisms, specifically investigating the kinetic and structural basis of ribosome function using single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) imaging techniques. The research focuses on understanding the elongation phase of protein synthesis and regulatory mechanisms that distinguish bacterial from mammalian systems, with direct applications to antibiotic specificity and potential therapeutic development.

The project addresses critical gaps in knowledge regarding human protein synthesis machinery by employing advanced single-molecule imaging approaches to elucidate the molecular distinctions between bacterial and mammalian translational processes. Findings from this research are intended to inform strategies for developing novel small-molecule therapeutics targeting dysregulated translation in cancer and to advance understanding of mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance in pathogenic organisms. As a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Jude delivers specialized biomedical research capabilities through its established infrastructure and collaborative research networks, positioning the institution to conduct high-impact basic science investigations with translational significance for pediatric and broader human health applications.