Chemoenzymatic synthesis to make biologically active molecules using enzyme libraries
Official title: Designing chemoenzymatic approaches to biologically active molecules enabled by enzyme library screening
Funded at University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-11400530 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team will develop enzyme-based methods to make complex drug-like molecules that could help fight cancer and other diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00GM151479-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400530 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group; this is a basic science project focused on chemical synthesis relevant to drug development.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient benefits are expected until later translational steps or clinical applications.
What this research studies
This project uses natural enzymes to build and modify complex molecules in new, efficient ways. Researchers will discover enzymes by comparing biosynthetic pathways and test them on spirocyclic tropolones and related compounds that have potential anti-cancer, antiviral, and antimicrobial activities. They will also explore how rotating through different enzyme families reveals new reaction pathways to create valuable chemical building blocks. The work relies on library screening of cytochrome P450 enzymes and biocatalysis to speed up synthesis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from faster, more selective ways to produce potent anti-cancer and therapeutic compounds.
How similar studies have gone: Biocatalysis has shown promise in producing therapeutics at pilot scale, supporting potential future drug development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Lawrence
Lawrence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Kendrick Linwood — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Smith, Kendrick Linwood
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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.