Creating yeast to produce valuable natural compounds for medicine
Engineering Yeast towards High Titer Production of Monoterpene Indole Alkaloid Natural Products
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · NIH-11057641
This study is exploring a new way to help make important medicines by using yeast to produce natural ingredients that usually come from plants, making them easier and cheaper to access for everyone.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11057641 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research focuses on engineering yeast to produce monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs), which are important pharmaceutical ingredients. By reconstructing plant pathways in yeast, the team aims to create a sustainable and efficient method for producing these compounds, which are typically expensive and hard to extract from plants. The researchers will use advanced technologies like PicoShell for high-throughput screening and cell sorting to enhance the production process. This innovative approach could lead to more accessible medications derived from natural products.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who may benefit from this research include those requiring treatments derived from monoterpene indole alkaloids, particularly for conditions related to addiction and other biological disorders.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions that do not involve the therapeutic use of monoterpene indole alkaloids may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more affordable and readily available pharmaceutical compounds for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in engineering yeast for the production of natural compounds, indicating a promising potential for this approach.
Where this research is happening
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TANG, YI — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- Study coordinator: TANG, YI
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.
Conditions: addictive disorder