Understanding how iron- and 2-oxoglutarate–dependent enzymes help make halogenated compounds
Official title: Dissect Mechanism of Iron(II)/2-Oxoglutarate Dependent Enzymes Catalyzed Halogenation in Nucleotide Biosynthesis
Funded at Carnegie-Mellon University · NIH-11513934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant supports research to uncover how a family of iron enzymes adds chlorine or other halogen atoms to biological molecules, which could lead to new ways to make safer, more effective cancer-fighting drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $15,686 |
| NIH project number | 3R01GM125924-09S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11513934 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-facing study; this is a basic science project conducted in a laboratory setting.
✕Less likely to help
There is no direct patient participation or immediate clinical benefit in this phase.
What this research studies
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University will explore the detailed steps by which Fe/2OG enzymes transfer halogen atoms to target molecules, aiming to explain why these enzymes favor halogenation over hydroxylation and why fluorination is not produced. The project combines mechanistic chemistry with bioengineering to understand the enzyme’s reactive ferryl intermediate and halide transfer, hoping to guide the design of biocatalysts for cleaner, more controllable chemical synthesis. The work could pave the way for new anti-cancer agents derived from better-tuned enzymatic processes and broaden the use of enzymes in medicinal chemistry. This is a basic science study with potential translational implications for drug development and sustainable synthesis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could enable new, enzyme-based methods to create anti-cancer drugs with improved selectivity and greener manufacturing routes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work on Fe/2OG enzymes has shown mechanistic insights can inform biocatalysis, supporting optimism for translational impact.
Where this research is happening
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Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guo, Yisong — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Guo, Yisong
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.