# Mays Cancer Center at UT Health SA

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER · 2022 · $90,667

## Abstract

Project Summary—Drug Discovery and Structural Biology Shared Resource
The Drug Discovery and Structural Biology Shared Resource (DDSB) is a new Mays Cancer Center (MCC)-
supported Shared Resource that combines comprehensive services to better meet the needs of MCC users.
The purpose of the DDSB is to provide state-of-the-art capabilities to MCC investigators for the study of cancer-
related macromolecules at the atomic and molecular levels, how they interact with other macromolecules such
as ligands, and for identification of small molecules that can target them using advanced tools such as X-ray
crystallography, nuclear magnetic (NMR) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and high-throughput screening
(HTS) technologies – including, but not limited to, cell-based phenotypic high-content imaging-based and purified
component-based HTS. The DDSB makes critical contributions to the MCC’s overarching mission to end cancer
by providing a comprehensive platform that integrates structural biology, molecular phenotypes, and drug
discovery to expand knowledge on the etiology of cancer, discover cancer-relevant targets, and identify potential
therapeutics. The DDSB is composed of four integrated modules: (a) Small Molecule Probe and Drug Discovery,
(b) NMR, (c) X-ray Crystallography, and (d) Macromolecular Interactions. Each module is led by an expert in
that field, with oversight of all modules provided by Matthew Hart, Ph.D. Depending on the project, DDSB can
perform focused studies involving one or more modules, or perform integrative studies involving all modules.
During the last reporting period (2014-2018), the DDSB worked with 40 MCC members who used 53% of total
service time. In this period, the DDSB supported 20 cancer-related publications. DDSB activities also generated
a pipeline of 10 lead compounds in the structure-guided optimization stage and 18 early-stage projects, ~50%
of which are expected to reach lead optimization within two years. At the end of the next funding period we
expect to have delivered 5-8 new vetted leads, ready to move into preclinical stages, to cancer investigators. To
further its goals, the DDSB will establish advanced novel tools for X-ray crystallography, high-throughput
screening (including approaches that target heretofore “undruggable” targets), and directed cancer-related target
degradation. During the next funding period, we expect the DDSB to continue advancing our understanding of
mechanisms that drive cancers and identifying novel cancer therapeutics to be tested for future clinical use. The
DDSB unites multiple capabilities challenging for individual investigators to pursue because of the cost, required
maintenance of the instrumentation, and breadth of expertise needed to use these technologies. Thus, the DDSB
is essential for the MCC to achieve its strategic goal of translating a molecular understanding of the processes
that underlie cancer into novel therapies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10460436
- **Project number:** 5P30CA054174-27
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** DAOHONG ZHOU
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $90,667
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-08-01 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10460436

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10460436, Mays Cancer Center at UT Health SA (5P30CA054174-27). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10460436. Licensed CC0.

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