Creating new cancer-fighting drugs using enzymes
Official title: Designing chemoenzymatic approaches to biologically active molecules enabled by enzyme library screening
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10876426 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how special proteins called enzymes can help create new medicines to fight cancer and infections, with the hope that these discoveries will lead to better treatments for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $125,000 |
| NIH project number | 5K99GM151479-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876426 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancer or those at risk of infections who may benefit from novel therapeutic agents.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cancer or infectious diseases may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on using enzymes to create complex molecules that can be developed into new cancer treatments. By screening a library of enzymes, the team aims to discover new ways to synthesize biologically active compounds, particularly those that can fight infections and cancer. The approach involves studying natural processes in bacteria and fungi to guide the design of these molecules. Patients may benefit from innovative therapies that arise from this work, which could lead to more effective treatments for serious illnesses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new and more effective cancer therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using biocatalysis for drug development, indicating a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Kendrick Linwood — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- 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.