Creating cancer-fighting drugs using engineered yeast
Official title: Biosynthesis of Cyclopamine and New-to-Nature Triterpenoids in Yeast
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-11007187 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to make helpful cancer-fighting medicines using specially modified yeast, which could lead to more affordable and accessible treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32GM153046-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11007187 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancer or those seeking innovative therapies for related conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cancer or related conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a sustainable method to produce terpenoid drugs, such as cyclopamine, using engineered yeast. By constructing a complete biosynthetic pathway in brewer's yeast, the project aims to produce complex medicinal compounds from simple sugars and salts. This approach is designed to be scalable and cost-effective, potentially leading to more accessible treatments for cancer and other diseases. Patients may benefit from new anti-cancer therapies derived from these naturally occurring compounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective and affordable cancer treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully utilized engineered microorganisms to produce therapeutic compounds, indicating a promising approach for this project.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winegar, Peter Henry — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Winegar, Peter Henry
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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.