Dissecting How Iron- and 2-oxoglutarate–Dependent Enzymes Halogenate in Nucleotide Building Blocks
Official title: Dissect Mechanism of Iron(II)/2-Oxoglutarate Dependent Enzymes Catalyzed Halogenation in Nucleotide Biosynthesis
Funded at Carnegie-Mellon University · NIH-11400067 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how a family of iron-dependent enzymes adds halogens to building blocks for DNA, aiming to unlock new ways to make anti-cancer compounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $340,068 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM125924-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400067 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
No direct patient involvement in this grant; the work is preclinical/biochemical.
✕Less likely to help
Patients are unlikely to directly benefit from the research during its execution.
What this research studies
This project explores the chemistry and biology of Fe/2OG enzymes that can install halogen atoms into nucleotide-like substrates, potentially guiding new strategies for drug design. By investigating the key reactive ferryl intermediates and factors that control halogen versus hydroxylation, the team hopes to reveal how to direct these enzymes for precise chemical modifications. The work combines mechanistic biochemistry with bioengineering ideas to create better biocatalysts that could help produce novel anti-cancer agents. The findings could inform future translation toward more selective, efficient drug synthesis. Participation would involve standard lab-based research with enzymes, substrates, and analytical measurements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could enable new, more selective ways to synthesize anti-cancer compounds using biocatalysts.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that Fe/2OG halogenases can introduce halogens with regio- and stereo-selectivity, but how to control selectivity remains an open question.
Where this research is happening
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Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guo, Yisong — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Guo, Yisong
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.