DARPA (BTO): Network of Optimal Dynamic Energy Signatures (NODES)

NODES seeks to avoid exhaustive rate-kinetic or free-energy barrier sampling approaches for probing protein dynamics. Instead, it solicits ideas on leveraging a family of multi-replica methods (including, but not limited to, Replica-Exchange, Langevin Dynamics, Entropy Maximization with Limited Structural Biology Data, Adaptive Biasing, and Conformational Flooding approaches) that focus exclusively on the ensemble of high-probability protein states, which are adequate to offer signatures of movements or MD fingerprints, without necessarily providing their precise timing.

The NODES program has three (3) concurrently researched Functional Areas (FAs):

FA1 - Sequence-to-function through Folding: Model development for protein folding.

FA2 - Sequence-to-function through Binding: Model development for predicting binding interactions.

FA3 - Sequence-to-function through Allostery: Model development for predicting allosteric activity.

Funding: no fixed limit 

Duration: 39 months 

Research Authority due date: 21.825

Abstract (highly encouraged) due date: 29.8.25

Full proposal due date: 7.10.25