How some enzymes handle oxygen safely
Official title: Electron Transfer in Iron and Copper Oxygenases and Oxidases
Funded at California Institute of Technology · NIH-11360204 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how important oxygen-using enzymes stay active and safe from harmful reactive molecules in the body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 1979 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $438,263 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM159231-46 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360204 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group; this is a basic science project using enzymes and proteins.
✕Less likely to help
Direct clinical benefit to patients is not the immediate aim of this basic science grant.
What this research studies
Researchers at Caltech will look at how enzyme chains called cytochromes P450 and a bacterial enzyme protect themselves from damaging reactive oxygen. They will explore radical transfer routes made of amino acids like tryptophan and tyrosine that move oxidizing equivalents away from fragile sites. The goal is to understand how these enzymes keep working when electron and proton delivery is challenged, which can influence drug metabolism and safety. Insights could guide better drug choices and reduce risks of adverse interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how key drug-metabolizing enzymes stay functional could improve drug safety and personalized therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has shown that radical transfer pathways can protect enzymes, suggesting a promising area for deeper understanding.
Where this research is happening
-
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gray, Harry B — California Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Gray, Harry B
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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.