Accessing strained rings and heterocycles to make new bacterial metabolites and building blocks
Official title: Access to Strained Rings and Heterocycles: Applications in the Synthesis of Bacterial Metabolites and Chemical Building Blocks
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11572452 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are developing new ways to make unusual ring-shaped molecules to create rare bacterial metabolites and ready-to-use chemical building blocks that could influence health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 4R00GM157554-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11572452 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Researchers and clinicians seeking novel chemical tools or anti-virulence strategies for Pseudomonas aeruginosa or CF-related infections may benefit indirectly from these advances.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient participation is not described; benefits are primarily through foundational chemical methods and potential future applications.
What this research studies
This project aims to create novel methods for making strained rings and heterocycles, focusing on azetidine-containing compounds and versatile building blocks. It includes developing intramolecular cyclization strategies to forge complex structures that could reveal how these molecules function in bacterial communication and biofilm formation. By providing rapid access to modular, biologically relevant components, the work could accelerate discovery of new drugs and anti-virulence approaches. The research ties these chemical advances to understanding Pseudomonas aeruginosa behavior related to cystic fibrosis and broader health impacts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could enable new anti-virulence strategies and faster development of bioactive molecules that influence infections and biofilm formation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that modular strained-ring chemistry can yield useful bioactive motifs, with potential for rapid diversification of compounds.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dorn, Stanna — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Dorn, Stanna
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.