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MATCHMAKERS - Creating and training AI tools for TCR binding prediction and design

Award Number: OT2CA297463
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: OTHER
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2027

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MATCHMAKERS - Creating and training AI tools for TCR binding prediction and design - Abstract Understanding how T cell receptors (TCRs) see tumor antigens presented by MHCs is necessary to fully understand how the immune system recognizes tumor antigens, and to reap the full potential of antigen-specific immunotherapy. To achieve this goal, a quantum leap forward is required in which the revolutionary advances in machine learning are combined with a large volume of structure, function, data on matched TCR-pMHC pairs. The development of accurate predictors of TCR-antigen recognition will be dependent on the creation and integration sequencing-based datasets with high-throughput structural and functional insights. Our proposal, submitted as a CRUK/NCI Grand Challenge team (MATCHMAKERS) will combine researchers with expertise in immunology, methods development, structural biology, and computation to enable generalized prediction and design of TCR recognition. This work will be spread across four Work Packages (WPs): WP1: Large-scale generation of TCR-pMHC pairs from naturally occurring sources. We will build datasets of naturally occurring TCR-pMHC pairs. Our team will use an array of approaches to collect these datasets, from humans and from mouse models, and in the context of both cancer and immunity more generally. WP2: Ultra-high throughput TCR-pMHC matching using molecular engineering. Efforts to create general models will require a broader array of data than feasible to collect from natural TCR systems. We will use an array of synthetic approaches developed by our team to comprehensively match TCRs with pMHCs to train computational models. WP3: Large-scale structural and biochemical analyses of TCR-pMHC interactions. A key to our team’s vision is to match interaction datasets with high throughput structural and functional insights. A deep understanding of how the TCR contacts with MHC helices control function and orientation will be essential for training and testing computational models. WP4 AI-based prediction and design of TCR-pMHC interactions. We will integrate our data to train next- generation algorithms capable of generally predicting and designing TCR-pMHC interactions. These predictions will proceed through a reiterative testing and feedback circuits for further model optimization.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $1,209,684 )
2026	2026	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	001	1	5/13/2026	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$1,209,684
2026	2024	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	1	5/1/2026	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $1,209,684

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $725,052 )
2025	2025	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	001	1	8/11/2025	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$725,052
2025	2024	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	1	5/7/2025	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $725,052

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $681,176 )
2024	2024	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	1	5/31/2024	NEW	$681,176
														Subtotal = $681,176

Grand Total All Awards = $2,615,912

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MATCHMAKERS - Creating and training AI tools for TCR binding prediction and design

Award Number: OT2CA297463

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: OTHER

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2027

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