Investigating how ocean organisms produce halogenated molecules that can be used in medicine or are harmful pollutants.
Halogenation Biochemistry in Human and Environmental Health
This study is exploring how seaweeds and sponges make special molecules that can be helpful for medicine but can also be harmful to the environment, and it's for anyone interested in how nature can lead to new drugs while also understanding the potential risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11086592 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how certain marine organisms, like seaweeds and sponges, create halogenated molecules that can have both beneficial pharmaceutical properties and harmful effects as pollutants. By studying these processes at various biological levels, the research aims to uncover the genetic and biochemical pathways involved in the production of these compounds. The approach includes sequencing the RNA of these organisms to better understand their complex biology and using advanced metabolomic techniques to design methods for producing useful drug candidates from these natural products.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals interested in novel drug therapies or those affected by environmental pollutants.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to environmental health or those not seeking new drug therapies may not receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new pharmaceutical drugs derived from marine organisms while also providing insights into environmental health and pollution.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in utilizing marine natural products for drug development, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Georgia Institute of Technology — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Agarwal, Vinayak — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Agarwal, Vinayak
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 below.