Developing new natural products for treating diseases
Official title: High throughput biosynthesis of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide natural products
Funded at University of New Mexico · NIH-11126684 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new natural substances that could help treat cancer and infections, aiming to find better medicines for patients by exploring a special group of compounds called RiPPs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $342,224 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM142530-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126684 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from cancer or infections that may benefit from novel antibiotic treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not respond to antibiotic or cancer therapies may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on discovering and characterizing new natural products that can be used as drugs, particularly for cancer and antibiotic treatments. By studying a specific class of natural products known as ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), the research aims to accelerate the identification of these compounds through advanced biosynthesis techniques. Patients may benefit from new and effective treatment options derived from these natural products, which have historically played a significant role in drug development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new and effective treatments for cancer and antibiotic-resistant infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in utilizing natural products for drug development, indicating a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walker, Mark Chalfant — University of New Mexico
- Study coordinator: Walker, Mark Chalfant
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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.