Description
The Protean program is a research announcement by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) that aims to identify novel ways to restore protein function to targets of chemical threat agents. The program is divided into two phases, with the first phase focusing on identifying novel intervention points within the conformational landscape of a target protein, and the second phase focusing on advancing design capabilities to generate safe and efficacious compounds that protect or restore function in a protein target. The program has a period of performance of 33 months and will require performers to complete a Science & Technology Protection Implementation Plan (S&T PIP) and adhere to specific guidelines and regulations. Some key points of the program include:
* The program will focus on three specific protein targets that are most commonly impacted by chemical agents: Acetylcholinesterase, Mu Opioid Receptor, and ion channels.
* Performers will be required to provide proof of concept for preventing chemical agent intoxication and alteration of protein function.
* The program will require performers to use a combination of structural biology and computational techniques to characterize protein targets.
* Lead optimization strategies are expected to be target-specific in Phase 2, and success will be stringently evaluated by functional rescue of protein activity throughout the phase.