Discovering new medicines from plants by enhancing their natural defenses

Reprogramming Plant Perception for Novel Plant Natural Products Discovery

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11257446

This study is exploring how to help plants make more natural compounds that could turn into new medicines, which might help patients like you in the future.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11257446 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on unlocking the hidden potential of plants to produce natural products that can be developed into small molecule medicines. By analyzing plant genomes, the team aims to activate previously unknown pathways that enhance the production of these beneficial compounds, particularly those involved in plant defense mechanisms. The approach involves engineering plant immune signaling to stimulate the production of natural products that may have therapeutic applications. Patients may benefit from new medications derived from these discoveries.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals seeking innovative treatments derived from natural sources, particularly those with conditions that may be addressed by new small molecule medicines.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions that are not addressed by plant-derived medications or those who do not respond to natural product therapies may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new medications derived from plant natural products, potentially improving treatment options for various conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has successfully utilized similar approaches to discover novel natural products from microbial sources, indicating potential for success in this novel plant-focused strategy.

Where this research is happening

LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.