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

Bioactive Terpenoids for Industry (The UoY-Croda Prosperity Partnership)

Reconstructing complex plant terpene pathways to develop sustainable, bio-based chemical production platforms for health, crop, and personal care sectors.

Volatile terpenoids from the mint family

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

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.

Opium Poppy Genomics & BIA Pathway Discovery

Unravelling the genomic architecture of opium poppy to elucidate metabolic pathways, enabling the molecular breeding of elite pharmaceutical crop varieties

Model Discovery Engines & The C-SPIRIT Platform

Employing Euphorbia peplus as a model system to unravel macrocyclic diterpenoid biosynthesis and engineer precursor-optimised expression platforms for crop security.

Legacy Impact: The Artemisia annua Breeding Project

Utilising biochemical genetics to develop high-yielding, non-GM artemisinin hybrids, stabilising the global anti-malarial supply chain to deliver millions of treatments.

Opportunities

Research and training opportunities in CNAP

Join us

Collaborate

Our partners are local, national and international

Work with us