Exploring hidden natural products in bacteria for health benefits
Official title: From Genes to Molecules and Back: Expanding the Chemical Space of Microbial and Microbiome Natural Products
Funded at Princeton University · NIH-10765436 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special substances made by bacteria to find new medicines that could help people stay healthy, especially by using low doses of antibiotics to wake up these hidden compounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $246,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM152049-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10765436 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that could benefit from novel antibiotic treatments or those interested in the role of the microbiome in health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to bacterial infections or microbiome health may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the natural products encoded in bacterial genomes, focusing on their structures, functions, and therapeutic uses. By developing new methods to stimulate the production of previously inactive natural products, particularly through the use of low-dose antibiotics, the research aims to uncover novel compounds that could benefit human health. The study also explores the role of these metabolites in microbial interactions and their potential applications in treating diseases. Overall, the research seeks to expand our understanding of the chemical diversity present in the human microbiome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics and therapeutic agents that improve patient health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in uncovering novel natural products from microbial sources, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Princeton University
Princeton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seyedsayamdost, Mohammad R — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Seyedsayamdost, Mohammad R
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.