Expanding synthetic biology tools to discover natural products from myxobacteria
Official title: Expansion and application of synthetic biology tools for natural products discovery from myxobacteria
Funded at University of Mississippi · NIH-11346069 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing overview: researchers are expanding friendly lab methods to find new medicines by tapping natural compounds made by myxobacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $289,424 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM149795-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11346069 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This is a lab-based project and does not require patient participation; results may lead to new therapies for patients in the future.
✕Less likely to help
There is no direct patient involvement in this grant.
What this research studies
This project will broaden the genetic tools and lab hosts used to turn bacterial genes into new natural products that could become medicines. By exploring different bacterial hosts and plasmids, scientists aim to uncover unique compounds from myxobacteria that act as potential therapies. The work involves developing and testing new lab systems to express biosynthetic gene clusters and to study how these compounds interact with biological targets. If successful, this could accelerate the discovery of safer and more effective antibiotics and antivirals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from new antibiotics or antiviral compounds discovered through improved natural product discovery methods.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work on bacterial natural products has yielded important discoveries, but expanding tools to myxobacteria is a novel step with promising potential.
Where this research is happening
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University of Mississippi
University, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stevens, David Cole — University of Mississippi
- Study coordinator: Stevens, David Cole
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.