# Multi-Radical Protein Footprinting (MRPF™) Platform

> **NIH NIH R44** · GENNEXT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · 2024 · $1,251,300

## Abstract

The GenNext Phase II SBIR submssion entitled “Multi-radical Protein
Footprinting (MRPF™) Platform,” is responsive to the ackowledged need for new and
improved tools for higher order structural analysis (HOS) of biopharmaceuticals and
membrane protein target studies. An emerging HOS analysis technique is radical foot-
printing (RPF). RPF involves the irreversible labeling of a protein’s exterior by reaction
with radicals with subsequent MS analysis to identify the outer portions of the protein.
 We have developed commercial solutions to perform Hydroxyl Radical Protein
Footprinting (HRPF) employing OH radicals known as the Fox® Protein Footprinting
System. A new RPF technique that relies upon trifluoromethyl (TFM) radicals created
by •OH attack of aqueous sodium triflinate has been developed. TFM protein footprinting
(TFMPF) is highly complementary to HRPF. When used together, HRPF and TFMPF
provide improved spatial coverage than either alone.
 In our phase I program, we created a facile means to assess effective radical
load during CF3 labeling experiments by creating an in-line fluorescence detector that
measured the photometric response of coumarin-based internal standard radical
dosimeters to •OH and •CF3 attack. In our Phase II program, we build upon our phase I
success to create a pre-commercial system that will enable selectable •OH or
simultaneous •OH and •CF3 labeling, with in-line radical dosimetry, and optimized data
processing software. In doing so, we will extend our products to also support TFMPF,
creating a powerful and impactful improvement to biopharmaceutical HOS.
 GenNext Technologies is the world’s only company commercializing instruments
and solutions for RPF HOS analysis. Our overarching goal is to convert the RPF process
from an academic research experiment into a broadly adopted and valuable HOS
analytical tool. We firmly believe that our proposal will significantly impact HOS analysis
with transformative benefits to biopharmaceutical research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10915756
- **Project number:** 2R44GM142351-02
- **Recipient organization:** GENNEXT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Scot Randy Weinberger
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,251,300
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2021-05-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10915756

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10915756, Multi-Radical Protein Footprinting (MRPF™) Platform (2R44GM142351-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10915756. Licensed CC0.

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