News

Portland State University Chemistry Chair Kevin Reynolds has been awarded a joint four-year, $1.6 million grant with the University of Michigan from the National Institute of Health. The grant will fund the research project “Molecular Analysis of Modular Polyketide Synthases.”

Through a joint collaboration with the University of Michigan, the awarded grant will research polyketide synthases (PKSs), proteins within plants and bacteria which generate structurally complex natural products with wide ranging pharmaceutical and agricultural applications. Past research has shown that PKS components from different microorganisms can be swapped in order to generate new natural products with potentially valuable applications including drug discovery and development. A notable success in previous work by Professor Reynolds and his research group has been the combining of two different pathways to generate doramectin, a commercial antiparasitic compound.

Despite achievement there has been a significant problem in that many of the hybrid PKS systems created are inactive or inefficient. This new research project lead by Reynolds and David Sherman from the University of Michigan, will use an array of new techniques and selective pressure to generate and identify hybrid PKS systems that work. Initially the project will be focused on generating new antibiotics, with the ultimate goal of generating drugs with a wide array of applications including cancer treatment.

“We are very excited to receive support for this grant and to be able to carry out this project as part of the expanding scientific research program here at Portland State University” said Prof. Reynolds, who joined the faculty in July 2005.

The research will be conducted equally at both Universities with the work at Portland State housed in the newly renovated chemistry laboratories in Science Building 2.

Chemistry Department
In keeping with Portland State’s emphasis on sustainability, the Chemistry department at Portland State focuses on a broad range of research programs that include biological chemistry, nanotechnology, alternative energy and environmental quality. Research expenditures at PSU have more than doubled in the last 10 years and totaled more than $35 million annually in 2004.

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Source: Kevin Reynolds (503-725-3886)
Chemistry Chair, Portland State University