PASADENA, Calif:
WHAT DO leukaemia, the evergreen plum-yew tree in southeast Asia, and California Institute of Technology faculty member Brian Stoltz have in common?
Stoltz, an assistant professor of chemistry, is utilising the yew to create antileukaemic drugs.
To assist him in this effort, health-care product manufacturer Johnson & Johnson has awarded Stoltz a $180,000 grant over three years as part of its Focused Giving Programme.
Stoltz's research in natural product synthesis and synthetic methodology has focused on developing highly-selective methods for oxidising organic compounds using a small amount of a precious metal called palladium in conjunction with oxygen.
"This grant will enable us to further develop this chemistry and to apply this technology to the laboratory synthesis of meaningful quantities of important antileukaemic agents isolated in trace quantities from the yew tree as well as completely novel synthetic agents," said Stoltz.
Focused Giving Grants are awarded to academic investigators doing basic research to advance science and technology in medical fields. This competitive programme opens doors to new scientific developments, as well as promotes mutually beneficial relationships between scientists working for the Johnson & Johnson family of companies and those who carry out their work at universities or research centres.
David MacMillan, a professor of chemistry at Caltech, was a previous recipient of the grant. Founded in 1891, Caltech is a private university with an enrollment of some 2,000 students.
