Creating tools to produce medicinal compounds from plants more efficiently
Synthetic biology tools for scalable production of medicinal plant terpenes
This study is exploring how to make natural compounds from plants that could help create better cancer treatments, using yeast to produce them more easily and in larger amounts, so patients can benefit from new and improved medicines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10653942 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding and engineering the biosynthetic pathways of plant terpenes, which are vital for developing effective cancer treatments. By utilizing advanced techniques, the team aims to identify and optimize the production of these compounds in yeast, allowing for scalable and efficient manufacturing. Patients may benefit from new and improved anti-cancer drugs derived from these natural products, which could be produced more reliably and in larger quantities. The project seeks to overcome current limitations in the chemical synthesis of these important medicinal compounds.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include patients with cancers that could be treated with new terpenoid-based therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that are not responsive to terpenoid-based treatments may not receive benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective and accessible anti-cancer medications derived from plant terpenes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using synthetic biology to produce plant-derived compounds, indicating that this approach could be successful.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sattely, Elizabeth Susan — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Sattely, Elizabeth Susan
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.