Developing new ways to make important natural compounds for medicine
Official title: The Development of Strategies and Methods for the Preparation of Physiologically Important Small Molecules
Funded at Baylor University · NIH-11258305 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists at Baylor are creating new methods to make natural-product-based medicines, with the aim of helping treat serious diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waco, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $411,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM161204-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11258305 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with diseases that could be addressed by natural-product–derived drugs, especially pancreatic cancer or tuberculosis, may benefit from future therapies inspired by this work.
✕Less likely to help
Not all natural products or analogs will become drugs, and immediate patient benefit is not guaranteed.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on designing and refining synthetic methods to access natural products and related molecules that have potential medical benefits. The work centers on macrolides and alkaloids, plus progress in total synthesis of another bioactive compound, showing the breadth of targets the team pursues. By improving how we assemble these complex molecules, the project aims to accelerate discovery of drugs that could fight diseases like pancreatic cancer and tuberculosis. The research could lay the groundwork for new therapies and faster development of FDA-approved drugs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new drug candidates and improved methods for making medicines more efficiently.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that natural products and synthetic analogs continue to inspire successful drugs, suggesting potential for impactful outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor University
Waco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wood, John L — Baylor University
- Study coordinator: Wood, John L
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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.