# CAREER: New routes to designing dynamic protein structures

> **NSF 01003031DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Research Foundation CUNY - Advanced Science Research Center (NY) · $948,848

## Abstract

Natural proteins perform critical functions in our bodies.  Proteins can be designed to perform new functions that help society.  For example, designed proteins could detect diseases, transport drugs, generate clean fuels, and defuse toxins.  However, designed proteins perform worse than natural ones.  This project aims to use lessons from natural proteins to produce better designed proteins.  This will be done by testing whether existing designed proteins move differently than natural ones.  The work will also use artificial intelligence (AI) to design new proteins with different types of motions.  Overall, this research will leverage AI to help design powerful new proteins.  This will pave the way for the use of designed proteins in biotechnology, medicine, and chemical manufacturing.  To connect with the public, AI-powered protein design competitions will be held in classrooms nationwide, along with science comedy events.  This project advances NSF’s priorities in AI, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. 

Protein design has vast potential to generate new proteins that address unmet societal needs.  For example, designed proteins could detect disease biomarkers, catalyze the creation of clean fuel sources, and defuse toxic chemicals in our environment.  However, the functions of designed proteins to date pale in comparison to those of natural proteins, preventing us from achieving these goals.  Notably, most protein design efforts to date have focused on stabilizin

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2543428
- **Awardee organization:** Research Foundation CUNY - Advanced Science Research Center (NY)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** EUYXHRL5MLL3
- **PI:** Daniel A Keedy
- **Primary program:** 01003031DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Artificial Intelligence (AI), CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, NANOSCALE BIO CORE, Advanced Manufacturing, Biotechnology
- **Estimated total:** $948,848
- **Funds obligated:** $763,328
- **Transaction type:** Continuing Grant
- **Period:** 06/15/2026 → 05/31/2031

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2543428

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2543428, CAREER: New routes to designing dynamic protein structures. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2543428. Licensed CC0.

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