Mechanisms of nitric oxide in heme enzymes using synthetic mimics
Official title: Mechanistic Investigation into Nitric Oxide Interconversion Pathways of Heme Enzymes using Synthetic Mimics
Funded at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa · NIH-11323058 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how nitric oxide interacts with heme enzymes using lab-made models to better understand diseases like autoimmune conditions and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tuscaloosa, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $363,506 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM154981-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11323058 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with autoimmune diseases or cancers where heme enzyme pathways are implicated.
✕Less likely to help
There may be no direct benefit to patients in the short term while basic mechanisms are being studied.
What this research studies
This project investigates how mid-valent heme enzyme intermediates operate, using carefully designed synthetic mimics to reveal how nitric oxide pathways affect human health. The work aims to uncover mechanism details that could guide the design of targeted drugs for autoimmune diseases and cancer. Researchers will explore how these models reflect real human enzymes and what this means for future therapies. The findings could help identify new drug targets and improve our understanding of disease pathways involving nitric oxide and heme enzymes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of disease mechanisms could lead to new, more precise therapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that synthetic models can reveal important mechanistic insights, though this area remains emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wijeratne, Gayan B — University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
- Study coordinator: Wijeratne, Gayan B
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.