Natural products, also known as secondary metabolites, are organic molecules without a recognizable function in growth, development, or reproduction of the producing organism. Research in a range of interconnected scientific fields has resulted in discovery of unusual secondary metabolites with immense clinical utility, development of nature-inspired organic synthesis routes, understanding of genes directing biosynthesis of natural products, and insights into intriguing enzymes employed in formation of these molecules.
Dr. Amy Lane’s group is carrying out both basic and applied scientific studies on a variety of topics related to natural products.
Our major interests include:
Exploration of understudied genera of marine microorganisms as sources of new human drugs. We are especially interested in discovering new compounds with potential utility as antibacterial (antibiofilm) or anticancer drugs. We are tackling this challenge using a combined chemical-genetic approach, employing genetic information from marine microorganisms as a tool for guiding discovery of new natural products.
Probing the ecological function of marine microbial natural products. While the biomedical utility of marine natural products is widely recognized, the basic ecological functions of these compounds are far less explored. We are working to understand the fundamental adaptive roles played by compounds produced by marine organisms, with a special focus on chemically-mediated interactions among marine microorganisms.
Revealing the genetic and enzymatic basis for biosynthesis of structurally unusual marine natural products. This knowledge holds great potential for development of chemoenzymatic syntheses and fully exploiting the potential of marine microorganisms as sources of biologically active molecules.
