Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S99426/01
Title:	Diversity-oriented synthesis of polyketide-like unnatural products
Principal Investigator:	Nelson, Professor AS
Other Investigators:	Stockley, Professor PG
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Sch of Chemistry
Organisation:	University of Leeds
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	06 December 2004	Ends:	05 March 2008	Value (£):	208,184
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Chemical Biology Chemical Synthetic Methodology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Chemicals Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:	Panel Date Panel Name Outcome 21 Apr 2004 Chemistry Fellowships Interview Panel 2004 Deferred 18 Mar 2004 Chemistry Fellowships Sift Panel 2004 Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
The human genome project has provided a list of the (30 000 or so) proteins which can be made by Man. How can an organism as complex as Man be produced from so few components? Biological complexity stems from the ability of proteins to form complexes with many other components, which greatly increases the range of possible structures. In order to develop new strategies for treating disease, we need to understand the biological relevance of each protein and the many possible complexes that it can form. One way to unravel this seemingly intractable puzzle is to use small molecules to bind to specific structures and to observe the resulting effects. Nature provides us with a pool of diverse and complex natural products which can perform a breathtaking range of functions. One class of natural products is the polyketides which are, almost exclusively, synthesised from simple two- and three-carbon building blocks (acetate and propionate). The functions of polyketides include antibiotic activity, suppression of the immune system (for use in organ transplant operations), anti-cancer activity and anti-fungal activity. However, it is unlikely that natural products alone will provide the tools to study the functions of all proteins. This research will develop methods for the synthesis of large numbers of polyketide-like unnatural products; these compounds which are not found in Nature but nonetheless retain the complexity and diversity of natural products, and may be used as tools for chemical biology.
Key Findings
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Organisation Website:	http://www.leeds.ac.uk