Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The Pennsylvania State University received a $750,554 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), awarded April 1, 2026, with a completion date of March 31, 2031. The award supports a five-year research initiative investigating mechanisms and control of oxygen and carbon-hydrogen activation within enzyme architectures. The research program encompasses three integrated projects examining iron(II) and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases, heme-oxygenase-like diiron enzymes, and Class I ribonucleotide reductases to elucidate how conserved protein scaffolds generate diverse reactivities from similar cofactors and achieve common outcomes from structurally distinct cofactors.

The research employs biochemical, biophysical, and computational methodologies to understand metalloenzyme function and control mechanisms in activation of strong chemical bonds across multiple metabolic pathways. Deliverables include fundamental scientific discoveries regarding enzyme architecture and cofactor utilization that establish foundational knowledge for advances in biological process understanding and disease-related research. The award supports investigator-initiated basic research aligned with NIGMS's mission to fund meritorious biomedical research projects that advance human health and disease understanding through enhanced comprehension of biological processes.