Investigating the production of unique amino acids with potential antibacterial properties
Official title: Biosynthesis of Several Oxyvinylglycine Nonproteinogenic Amino Acids Bearing Unusual Alkoxyamine Bonds
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10906659 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $73,828 |
| NIH project number | 5F32GM151822-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906659 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with bacterial infections that are resistant to current antibiotics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-bacterial infections or those who do not respond to antibiotic treatments may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Turek-Herman, Joshua Ray — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Turek-Herman, Joshua Ray
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.