Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Illinois received a $380,350 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), effective June 1, 2026 through April 30, 2031. This award funds systematic characterization of human disease-associated protein complexes through three integrated research initiatives. The project will develop machine learning approaches to identify biologically relevant protein complex variants from more than 32,000 mass spectrometry experiments; construct computational workflows to generate cell-type specific protein complex maps with a focus on early embryonic development; and create a direct contact network of physically associated proteins to prioritize structural modeling efforts using computational tools such as AlphaFold to interpret disease mutations.

The research addresses a critical gap in molecular biology by providing comprehensive identification and characterization of human protein complexes, including their functional variants and cell-type specific differences. By generating high-quality structural models and interaction networks, the project aims to enhance understanding of how protein complex disruptions contribute to diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and developmental disorders. The anticipated outcomes will establish a foundation for identifying novel therapeutic targets and developing disease-specific treatment strategies based on protein complex dysfunction mechanisms.