Ai-guided design of sweet taste receptor potentiators for low-sugar products
Innovative AI-driven approach to design mini-protein potentiators for enhancing sweetness perception, enabling significant sugar reduction in foods and beverages. Uses AI and physics-based modeling to create stable, effective molecules for diverse applications.
Overview
This project focuses on the AI-guided design of mini-protein and peptide scaffolds to potentiate sweet taste receptors, specifically targeting regions of the T1R2/T1R3 receptor. By binding non-orthosteric sites, these potentiators can enhance the perceived sweetness of existing sugars and high-intensity sweeteners, thus allowing significant sugar reduction in foods and beverages. This innovative approach leverages a combination of AI-driven design and physics-based modeling, ensuring the creation of stable and effective molecules tailored for a broad spectrum of culinary applications.
Technical specifications
- AI-guided design: Utilizes advanced AI algorithms to generate and prioritize potentiator candidates without the need for high-resolution receptor-ligand structures.
- Physics-based modeling: Integrates computational assays to refine candidate selection, focusing on stability, binding likelihood, and low inclusion levels.
- Diverse applications: Designed for compatibility with various food and beverage matrices, ensuring broad utility.
- Iterative design: Involves repeated cycles of design, testing, and refinement to optimize potency and stability of the potentiators.
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at TRL 3, having been validated through theoretical and practical modeling efforts. Future developments involve experimental validation and optimization in collaboration with industry partners through sponsored research and co-development efforts.
About University of Florida
The University of Florida is a comprehensive public research university with a broad academic and research portfolio and a statewide presence. Industry collaborates through co-located labs and shared core facilities and through an integrated academic health system that accelerates clinical translation. A statewide extension network and multiple research and education sites connect companies with field-scale testing and rapid deployment, while incubators and an adjacent innovation district provide pathways from lab to market. Research is supported by competitive funding from major federal agencies such as NIH, NSF, USDA, and DOE. A dedicated technology transfer office supports IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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