# Tool Development and Applications

> **NIH NIH P50** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2020 · $479,089

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
In this Project we will develop transformative tools for determining 3D structures of biomolecules, imaging
cellular assemblies, and delivering cargos into target cells. Nanotechnology and structural biology, particularly
cryo-EM, are advancing very rapidly, and we aim to contribute to these revolutions. Specifically, we will: 1)
Develop macromolecular platforms that will enable the structures of even small proteins to be determined by
cryo-EM single particle methods, The platforms will be large, rigid objects like microtubules, ribosomes, or
antibody complexes that will bind the small target protein rigidly and add the mass needed to precisely align
particles and in some case (like microtubules), introduce high symmetry. 2) Implement and develop micro-
electron diffraction (microED)1-4 and racemic crystallographic methods for determining structures of challenging
targets,5 MicroED can be applied to micron-sized crystals that are too small for standard X-ray crystallography.
Racemic crystallography has promise for small proteins (<300 residues) that resist initial crystallization
screens. 3) Develop CLEM methods for visualizing viruses and virus-associated complexes in their native state
within cells, 4) Use enveloped protein nanocages6 to explore the fundamental biology of virus budding and
develop systems for delivering specific cargoes into cells.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9993258
- **Project number:** 5P50AI150464-14
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** GRANT J JENSEN
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $479,089
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2007-08-27 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9993258

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9993258, Tool Development and Applications (5P50AI150464-14). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9993258. Licensed CC0.

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