Creating cancer-fighting drugs using engineered yeast
Biosynthesis of Cyclopamine and New-to-Nature Triterpenoids in Yeast
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 ID | NIH-11007187 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancer or those seeking innovative therapies for related conditions.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have cancer or related conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.
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 performed: Previous research has successfully utilized engineered microorganisms to produce therapeutic compounds, indicating a promising approach for this project.
Where this research is happening
Berkeley, United States
- University of California Berkeley — Berkeley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winegar, Peter Henry — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Winegar, Peter Henry
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.