Location: Natural Products Utilization Research
Project Number: 6060-41000-012-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Jul 7, 2015
End Date: Jul 6, 2020
Objective:
Objective 1: Discover new leads from plant-based natural resources with anti-infective and anti-cancer, immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory activities using cell-based screens and mechanistic assays using molecular target-based approaches.
Sub-objective 1A: Source novel natural resources from terrestrial plants, marine organisms and microbes from around the world for biological testing.
Sub-objective 1B: Prepare, maintain and manage Natural Products Repository and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
Sub-objective 1C: Evaluate natural product extracts and natural product derived pure compounds for potential anticancer, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and anti-diabetic properties, and for utility in metabolic and immune disorders.
Sub-objective 1D: Isolation and structural elucidation of lead compounds.
Objective 2: For the best candidates, characterize mechanisms of action, selectivity, toxicity, functional activity in secondary assays and in animal models of plant-based anti-infective and anti-cancer, immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Sub-objective 2A: Characterization of mechanisms of action and functional activity of leads.
Sub-objective 2B: Characterization of selectivity and toxicity of lead compounds.
Objective 3: Develop methods for analysis of bioactive or medicinally important plants and quality control of their derived products.
Objective 4: Assess selected medicinal or aromatic plants for cultivation, harvest and processing to optimize yields of biomass and active principles.
Approach:
The approach includes a program of: (1) Using cell-based screening and mechanistic assays to discover new pharmaceutical and agrochemical leads from natural sources; (2) Using secondary assays and animal models to characterize mechanisms of action, selectivity, toxicity and functional activity of the best candidate compounds having anti-infective, anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, or anti-inflammatory properties; (3) Selection, agronomics and analysis of bioactive or medicinally important plants and their derived products.
