Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) awarded Massachusetts Institute of Technology a $502,372 Project Grant effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031 under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859). The award supports the development of selective, catalytic isomerization reactions designed to transform simple organic building blocks into complex organic molecules applicable to biomedical research and drug development. Research deliverables include the creation of stereocenter editing reactions that enable single-step synthesis of chiral compounds; constitutional isomer interconversion methods for functional group migration and skeletal rearrangements; and mechanistic studies elucidating substrate-catalyst interactions relevant to medicinal chemistry. These synthetic methodologies are particularly intended to facilitate rapid access to carbohydrate derivatives and structurally isomeric drug analogs that may demonstrate improved potency and reduced side-effects.

The project emphasizes both applied synthetic chemistry outcomes and fundamental research insights. Mechanistic investigations will inform rational design strategies and enable future reaction development efforts with high-impact pharmaceutical applications. The work supports NIGMS's mission to advance basic research that increases understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention by providing improved chemical synthesis tools essential for functional organic molecule discovery and biomedical research advancement.