Making natural compounds that could become cancer medicines
Official title: Synthesis of Biologically Active Terpenoids
Funded at Rice University · NIH-11317049 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are developing ways to make complex natural molecules called terpenoids that might lead to new cancer treatments for people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rice University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $329,963 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM144489-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11317049 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with cancer who are interested in experimental therapies or contributing to research may be future candidates for studies that test these compounds, particularly if their tumor type matches where the compounds show activity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients looking for immediate treatment should not expect direct benefit now, because this is laboratory synthesis and preclinical testing rather than a clinical trial.
What this research studies
They are creating practical laboratory methods to build complex natural molecules called terpenoids, which have inspired many anticancer drugs. The team will develop new synthetic routes to produce several terpenoid classes (including isomalabaricane triterpenoids, nimbolide, and perhydrobenz[e]indene-based terpenoids) so enough material is available for study. Compounds made in the chemistry lab will be used in biological tests to learn how they affect cancer cells and to support future drug development. The goal is to make promising natural compounds accessible for medicinal chemistry and later clinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide new drug candidates that eventually lead to more effective cancer therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Natural-product-driven programs have a long history of producing drug leads and several approved cancer drugs trace back to natural compounds, though the specific synthetic methods proposed here are new.
Where this research is happening
-
Rice University
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sarlah, David — Rice University
- Study coordinator: Sarlah, David
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Semi-autonomous surgeon-guided in situ robotic bioprinting for repairing volumetric muscle loss
A surgeon-guided robotic bioprinting system would print bioinks directly onto muscle injury sites to help restore function and appearance.
-
Center to Bring Quick Cancer Tests from Lab to Patients
A center is being built at Rice University to create and spread affordable, easy cancer tests that can be used in clinics and rural areas to catch cancer early.
-
Center for Innovation and Translation of Point-of-Care Cancer Tests to Reach More Patients
A center is being created to develop simple, low-cost point-of-care tests to detect cancers early, especially in low-resource settings, so more people can get timely care.
-
Point-of-care HPV DNA test to screen for cervical cancer in low-resource settings
A new HPV DNA test designed to be used at the point of care to screen for cervical cancer, especially in areas with limited medical infrastructure or rural settings.
-
Fast, easy HIV test that detects the virus early
This project is building a quick, instrument-free HIV-1 test that can detect the virus in blood or saliva earlier than current rapid tests for people at risk of recent exposure or possible viral rebound.
-
Deep profiling of how fusion-driven pediatric cancers spread, using single-cell protein tools
Researchers will develop fast, highly capable single-cell protein measurements to understand how certain pediatric cancers, like Ewing sarcoma, spread and evade the immune system.
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.