Investigating the production of unique amino acids with potential antibacterial properties

Biosynthesis of Several Oxyvinylglycine Nonproteinogenic Amino Acids Bearing Unusual Alkoxyamine Bonds

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10906659

This study is looking at how certain special amino acids made by tiny organisms can help stop bad bacteria from growing and might even help plants grow better, with the hope that these discoveries could lead to new treatments for infections in the future.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-10906659 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how certain nonproteinogenic amino acids, specifically oxyvinylglycines, are produced by microorganisms. These amino acids have unique structures that may inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and affect plant germination. The study will utilize biochemical assays and feeding experiments to explore the biosynthetic pathways of these compounds, aiming to uncover how they are formed and their potential applications in agriculture and medicine. Patients may benefit indirectly through the development of new antibacterial agents derived from these findings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with bacterial infections that are resistant to current antibiotics.

Not a fit: Patients with non-bacterial infections or those who do not respond to antibiotic treatments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antibacterial agents that improve treatment options for infections.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in developing antibacterial agents from natural products, indicating a potential for success in this area as well.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.