Creating Better Medicines with Precision Chemistry
Highly Selective Cu-Catalyzed Reactions for Precision Deuteration and Alkyne Hydrofunctionalization
This work aims to develop new chemical methods to make medicines safer and more effective by precisely adding a special type of hydrogen called deuterium.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Knoxville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Knoxville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11117055 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many new medicines are being developed with deuterium to improve their safety and effectiveness, but current methods for adding deuterium are not very precise. Our team is creating highly selective chemical reactions to incorporate deuterium into drug molecules with great accuracy, minimizing unwanted impurities. We are also developing new analytical tools to ensure these deuterated molecules are perfectly characterized. This foundational chemistry will help scientists create a new generation of safer and more potent medications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational chemistry work does not involve direct patient participation, but future patients needing safer and more effective medications could ultimately benefit.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct participation in a clinical trial would not find a direct benefit from this basic chemistry research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new and improved medications that are safer and work better for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies have shown promising results, indicating that deuterium can be precisely incorporated into small molecules with very few impurities.
Where this research is happening
Knoxville, United States
- University of Tennessee Knoxville — Knoxville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clark, Joseph — University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Study coordinator: Clark, Joseph
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 below.