Exploring enzymes to discover new natural products for drug development
Official title: Investigating biosynthetic enzymes to enhance natural product discovery
Funded at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa · NIH-11083000 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to find natural substances that could help create new medicines by using advanced genetic tools to discover unique compounds made by certain genes, which could lead to exciting new treatments for various health conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tuscaloosa, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $360,271 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151137-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11083000 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in novel drug therapies derived from natural sources.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not seeking new treatment options or those with conditions not addressed by natural product therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the discovery of natural products, which are crucial for developing new drugs. It employs advanced genetic techniques to identify and isolate novel compounds produced by specific gene clusters responsible for biosynthesis. By targeting glycosyltransferases, the research aims to uncover previously hidden biosynthetic pathways and their unique enzymes. This innovative approach could lead to the identification of new bioactive compounds that have not been discovered through traditional methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new drugs derived from previously unknown natural products.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using genetic approaches to discover new natural products, indicating that this method has potential for significant breakthroughs.
Where this research is happening
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University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Higgins, Melanie Ann — University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
- Study coordinator: Higgins, Melanie Ann
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.