Exploring how natural products can be modified for better biological activity
Official title: Biosynthesis of Unusual Bio-Orthogonal Functionalities in Natural Products
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-11051867 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how certain natural compounds work in the body and how we can change them to make better medicines, which could help improve treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $401,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM153289-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051867 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with conditions that could be treated or studied using novel natural product therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to the biochemical pathways or natural products being investigated may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the unique functional groups found in natural products that are crucial for their biological effects. By understanding the biosynthetic processes that create these functionalities, the researchers aim to enhance or alter the biological activities of these compounds. The project focuses on discovering novel enzymes and their mechanisms that can facilitate the installation of these unique groups, which can be used in various applications, including imaging and chemical biology. Patients may benefit from advancements in drug development and therapeutic applications stemming from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective treatments for various human diseases through improved natural product-based therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in utilizing biosynthetic pathways for drug development, indicating that this approach has potential for significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Wenjun — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Wenjun
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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.