University of Minnesota Researcher, Dr. Yibin Deng, Awarded $1.9 M in Department of Defense Grants to Advance Prostate Cancer Research

Minneapolis, Minnesota – The University of Minnesota is proud to announce that Dr. Yibin Deng, MD, PhD, has been awarded two prestigious research grants totaling $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Defense. These grants will support groundbreaking projects aimed at combating castration-resistant prostate cancer, a particularly aggressive and treatment-resistant form of the disease.

The first grant, an Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award (FY24), will fund Dr. Deng’s project titled, “AI-Designed De Novo Mini-Proteins Coupled with Small Molecule Initiate Immune Cell-Mediated Eradication of PSMA-Expressing CRPC Cells.” The primary goal of this research is to develop and apply integrated artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to de novo design mini-proteins that activate NKG2D-mediated immune responses across multiple immune cell types, and to bioengineer these mini-proteins–complexed with small molecule compounds–into highly stable, multivalent, chemically self-assembled nanorings (CSANS) that function as potent immune cell engagers, selectively targeting and eliminating castration-resistant prostate cancer cells expressing prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA).

The second grant, an Idea Development Award (FY24), will support the project titled, “Targeting elF4F Complex-Driven Translation of Oncogenic mRNAs in CRPC.” The primary goal of this research is to genetically define the essential role of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F (elF4F)-mediated translation of oncogenic mRNAs in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), and to develop and evaluate a PSMA-targeted prodrug that pharmacologically disrupts the elF4F complex to inhibit oncogenic mRNA translation and suppress CRPC tumor growth. Together, these projects aim to uncover novel therapeutic targets and improve outcomes for patients facing this challenging diagnosis.

Dr. Deng has served as a Professor of Urology, Cancer Genetics, and Computational Biology at the University of Minnesota Medical School since 2020. His research through collaboration has been published in peer-reviewed journals including Nature, Cell, Science Translational Medicine, Genes & Development, PNAS, Nature Communications, Nature Cell Biology, Clinical Cancer Research, and Cell Reports. These awards underscore the University of Minnesota’s commitment to advancing medical research that addresses critical health challenges.