Exploring how marine animals create unique chemicals for biomedical use

Symbiosis and Chemical Diversity Generation

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · NIH-11002318

This study is looking at how marine animals and their helpful bacteria create special chemicals that could lead to new medicines, with the hope of finding new treatments for patients in the future.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF UTAH (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11002318 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the ways in which marine animals and their symbiotic bacteria produce a variety of chemical compounds that could be beneficial for medicine. By focusing on discovering new biosynthetic pathways, the project aims to identify biomedically important substances that can lead to new drug discoveries. The research combines hypothesis-driven exploration with synthetic biology techniques to harness the chemical diversity found in the ocean, which remains largely unexplored. Patients may benefit from new therapies derived from these unique compounds as the research progresses.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals with conditions that may be treated by novel drugs derived from marine natural products.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions that do not respond to chemical compounds or those not related to the biomedical applications of marine-derived substances may not benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of innovative therapies derived from unique marine compounds.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in discovering therapeutics from marine organisms, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.

Where this research is happening

SALT LAKE CITY, 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.