Creating new medicines using high pressure techniques
Official title: Green Synthesis of Building Blocks and APIs by High Hydrostatic Pressure-initiated Synthesis
Funded at University of Massachusetts Boston · NIH-11043604 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using high pressure can help make important ingredients for medicines more efficiently, which could ultimately benefit both drug makers and patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $457,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM157702-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043604 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who require analgesic medications, such as those suffering from chronic pain or conditions that necessitate pain management, would be ideal candidates to benefit from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require analgesic medications or those with conditions that do not respond to traditional pain relief methods may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) can enhance chemical reactions to create important building blocks and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). By using theoretical calculations, the team will identify which reactions are most effective under high pressure conditions. Selected reactions will then be tested experimentally to confirm their effectiveness and understand the impact of pressure on these processes. The goal is to develop a systematic approach that can lead to more efficient drug synthesis, potentially benefiting the pharmaceutical industry and patients alike.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly methods for producing pain relief medications and other important drugs.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of high hydrostatic pressure in chemical synthesis is established in the food industry, this specific application in drug synthesis is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Torok, Bela — University of Massachusetts Boston
- Study coordinator: Torok, Bela
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Low-cost, image-guided photodynamic therapy for oral lesions in low-resource settings
A field-tested system combines simple imaging with targeted light-based therapy to screen and treat pre-malignant and malignant oral lesions in low-resource areas.
-
How histone variants evolved to shape DNA regulation in yeast and fruit flies
Scientists study how changes in histone proteins, the helpers that package DNA, affect how cells control genes and DNA repair in yeast and fruit flies.
-
Partnership to Bridge Gaps in Cancer Research and Education between UMass Boston and Harvard Cancer Center
A collaborative program between UMass Boston and the Harvard Cancer Center aims to close gaps in cancer research, education, outreach, and infrastructure to benefit diverse communities.
-
Maintaining male fertility through RNA binding proteins
This grant aims to understand how RNA binding proteins help sperm stem cells in males stay healthy and continue producing sperm, using zebrafish as a model to inform potential fertility improvements.
-
Low-cost camera-and-therapy system for oral cancer screening and guided light therapy in low-resource areas
A team is developing an affordable, easy-to-use system that screens for oral cancer and guides light-based therapy in people in low-resource settings.
-
Stopping therapy-resistant prostate cancer by blocking FOXA2 and AP-1
This research looks at whether blocking a protein switch called FOXA2 and its partner AP‑1 can stop or reverse prostate cancers that no longer respond to hormone therapy.
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.