Natural product biosynthesis

Plants produce a vast array of bioactive natural products that underpin medicine and industry. Despite their value, many of these compounds remain difficult to extract or chemically synthesise.

Our research deciphers the genetic and biochemical pathways responsible for these molecules, enabling us to develop scalable production platforms for high-value pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Our projects

Alkaloid pathway discovery and reconstitution

By deciphering the genetic and enzymatic basis for complex alkaloid formation, we can unlock novel methods for their sustainable production.

Carbon-carbon bond formation

We are looking to express, engineer and apply C-C bond forming enzymes from plants to the synthesis of valuable chemical intermediates.

Biosynthetic pathways

Discovering biosynthetic pathways for medicinal diterpenoids from Euphorbiaceae family. The Euphorbiaceae family of flowering plants produce a diverse range of casbene-derived diterpenoids exhibiting diverse biological activities.

Volatile terpenoids from the mint family

We investigate the origin and applications of these compounds across key genera including Mentha, Nepeta and Agastache.

Opportunities

Research and training opportunities in CNAP

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Our partners are local, national and international

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