Using light to improve nickel-based chemical reactions for drug development
Official title: Development of excited-state bond homolysis as a key step for Ni catalysis
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10913373 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to use light to help create important building blocks for new medicines, which could eventually lead to better treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32GM151836-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10913373 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research are individuals who require new therapeutic options for diseases that currently have limited treatment alternatives.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that are already well-managed by existing therapies may not see direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing nickel catalysis, a method used to create complex molecules important for pharmaceuticals. By utilizing light energy, the researchers aim to generate highly reactive intermediates that can lead to new chemical bonds. This innovative approach involves studying how excited-state bond homolysis can be integrated into nickel catalysis, potentially leading to more efficient and versatile chemical reactions. Patients may benefit indirectly through the development of new drugs that arise from these advanced chemical processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new and more effective drugs for various medical conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the integration of light in nickel catalysis is a novel approach, similar methodologies in other areas of catalysis have shown promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cusumano, Alexander — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Cusumano, Alexander
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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.