Exploring how plants produce complex chemicals that affect animal health
Official title: Dissection of specialized metabolism in plants using multiplexed perturbation
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11043338 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain plants, especially tomatoes, make special compounds that could help improve health, and it aims to find out how these compounds might influence what we eat and how they could lead to new plant-based treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | February 26, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $128,046 |
| NIH project number | 5K99AT012787-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043338 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit include individuals interested in plant-based therapies or those seeking alternative treatments for health conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not interested in dietary changes or plant-based treatments may not find this research beneficial.
What this research studies
This research investigates the specialized metabolism of plants, focusing on the complex metabolites they produce that can influence animal physiology. By utilizing advanced genetic tools, the project aims to activate and identify various biosynthetic gene sets in plants, particularly in tomatoes, to understand their potential medicinal properties. Patients may benefit from insights into dietary choices and the development of new plant-based therapies. The research employs a combination of multiplexed gene activation and single-cell measurement to systematically explore these biochemical pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new plant-derived medicines and improved dietary recommendations for better health.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in utilizing plant metabolites for medicinal purposes, indicating a potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcclune, Conor James — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Mcclune, Conor James
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.