Improving the production of cancer-fighting natural products
Official title: Enabling a rapid transition from synthase to structure
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10947270 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to make important cancer-fighting medicines more easily available by understanding the special proteins that help create them, so we can produce them more efficiently for better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $422,036 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA280558-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10947270 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that are responsive to polyketide-based therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not respond to polyketide treatments or those who are not eligible for clinical trials may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the production of polyketide natural products, which are important in cancer treatment. The team aims to better understand the enzymes involved in their synthesis, particularly Type I polyketide synthases, to improve their availability for clinical use. By using advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy, they will investigate the dynamic structures of these enzymes to facilitate more efficient production methods. This could lead to more effective cancer therapies by ensuring a reliable supply of these potent agents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the availability of effective cancer treatments derived from natural products.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in enhancing the production of natural products through similar enzymatic studies, indicating a potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burkart, Michael D. — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Burkart, Michael D.
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.