AlphaFold-Assisted Affinity Probe Resource for Scalable Brain Protein Mapping with Reference Datasets
NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY Despite the broad use of antibody tools, their reliability and scalability remain major challenges for reproducible cellular and anatomical profiling in large tissue volumes, such as whole-mouse and human brains. In this project, we propose to develop an AI-assisted platform for recombinant antibody resources that meets the high standards required to advance brain research. By integrating our teams' complementary expertise in AI algorithms, structural analysis, antibody validation, and brain imaging, we aim to create a synergistic technical and resource platform for curating recombinant antibody tools, establishing a new paradigm for antibody applications in brain research. As part of the BICCN/BICAN effort, we have validated an extensive collection of commercial and open- source monoclonal antibodies using a high-content screening pipeline, providing a strong experimental foundation for recombinant antibody curation. However, the current experimental approach has limitations in efficiently selecting and prioritizing thousands of monoclonal antibody sequences for cost-effective conversion and validation. It also relies solely on existing sequences without effective optimization or design using structural information for diverse applications. Our integrated approach, leveraging our expertise in AI-based protein structure prediction, modeling, and simulation, will analyze antibody sequences to provide a comprehensive understanding of recombinant antibody structural properties, including antigen binding sites and affinities across target species. This will significantly accelerate the conversion and validation of recombinant antibodies. Additionally, we will continue refining our approach to enhance flexibility in optimizing and designing recombinant antibodies, tailoring them to specific epitopes and cross-species targets for diverse applications. We will also develop a curated database of recombinant antibody resource for easy reference and adaptation within the field. This database will include a comprehensive collection of validated recombinant antibodies, featuring their defined sequences, predicted antibody-antigen binding structures, 2D IHC data in mouse and human, and 3D whole mouse brain labeling datasets for key BICCN targets. To ensure broad accessibility, the database will be available through a user-friendly online portal. This integrated recombinant antibody platform, rAb-GenAI, will be open to incorporating advanced AI algorithms and continuously refined through iterative experimental feedback. Both our AI pipeline and recombinant antibody resource will be highly scalable and adaptable, maximizing cost efficiency to support consistent large-scale profiling, including human brain cohort mapping. Through this project, we aim to establish a new paradigm for antibody-based research, laying the foundation for brain-wide proteomic investigations across species and enabling studies on whole brain cellular and structural dynamics in health and disease.
Grant Summary
AlphaFold-Assisted Affinity Probe Resource for Scalable Brain Protein Mapping with Reference Datasets is a NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health grant providing up to $1.6M for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2028-11-30 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
Focus Areas
Eligibility
How to Apply
Up to $1.6M
2028-11-30
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for AlphaFold-Assisted Affinity Probe Resource for Scalable Brain Protein Mapping with Reference Datasets from NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health before the deadline.
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AlphaFold-Assisted Affinity Probe Resource for Scalable Brain Protein Mapping with Reference Datasets: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the AlphaFold-Assisted Affinity Probe Resource for Scalable Brain Protein Mapping with Reference Datasets?
AlphaFold-Assisted Affinity Probe Resource for Scalable Brain Protein Mapping with Reference Datasets is offered by NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the AlphaFold-Assisted Affinity Probe Resource for Scalable Brain Protein Mapping with Reference Datasets provide?
AlphaFold-Assisted Affinity Probe Resource for Scalable Brain Protein Mapping with Reference Datasets provides up to $1.6M per award from NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the AlphaFold-Assisted Affinity Probe Resource for Scalable Brain Protein Mapping with Reference Datasets deadline?
Applications for AlphaFold-Assisted Affinity Probe Resource for Scalable Brain Protein Mapping with Reference Datasets are due 2028-11-30 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the AlphaFold-Assisted Affinity Probe Resource for Scalable Brain Protein Mapping with Reference Datasets?
To apply for AlphaFold-Assisted Affinity Probe Resource for Scalable Brain Protein Mapping with Reference Datasets, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health.