Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of California, Irvine received a $487,953 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), awarded March 15, 2026, with a completion date of January 31, 2031. This award supports fundamental biochemical research investigating nitrogenase enzyme assembly and reactivity mechanisms. The research employs combined genetic, biochemical, spectroscopic, and structural approaches to elucidate the biosynthetic pathway of the M-cluster metallocofactor in molybdenum nitrogenase, with specific focus on radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent carbide insertion, iron cofactor core formation, sulfur source and insertion mechanisms, and molybdenum mobilization for cofactor maturation.

The project deliverables include advancing mechanistic understanding of nitrogenase assembly that will clarify structural-functional relationships and reveal general principles governing metallocluster assembly in biological systems. Additionally, the research explores vanadium nitrogenase reactivity, particularly its enhanced capacity to reduce carbon monoxide to hydrocarbons for potential carbon recycling applications. These findings are expected to contribute foundational knowledge toward leveraging nitrogenase properties for innovative environmental sustainability and chemical energy conversion applications that could complement industrial ammonia and hydrocarbon synthesis processes.