In a remarkable achievement for the MCB Lab of Ryan Nett, postdoctoral researchers Jaime Martinez Grundman and Colin Kim have been awarded prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB). These three-year fellowships recognize their innovative research in plant biochemistry and provide them with the resources to further their groundbreaking work.
Martinez Grundman, the recipient of an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Broadening Participation of Groups Underrepresented in Biology, who completed his PhD at Johns Hopkins University, is delving into the evolution of enzymes. His research focuses on how canonical enzyme families evolve to catalyze new reactions, a process that can lead to the discovery of novel catalytic mechanisms. “I want to build a computational and experimental pipeline that can help identify novel enzymes,” he explained. “This could lead to the discovery of catalytic mechanisms that were not previously known in nature.”
Martinez Grundman’s work involves analyzing genomic sequences to identify potential new enzyme functions. By studying enzymes canonically involved in central metabolic pathways but with crucial amino acid changes, he aims to uncover how these enzymes could produce unique compounds that help organisms adapt to their environments. “By comparing sequences, we can predict which enzymes might be involved in specialized metabolism,” he said. “It’s like finding a needle in a haystack, but with the right tools, it’s possible.”
Nett, whose lab focuses on understanding the enzymes and chemical transformations that plants use to achieve their impressive diversity of bioactive small molecules, expressed his enthusiasm for Martinez Grundman’s research. “Jaime brings a really strong background in protein structure and biochemistry to the lab, and his project has the potential to expand our fundamental knowledge of plant metabolism and discover enzymes that could revolutionize our understanding of biochemical processes.”
Kim, who won a NSF Plant Genome Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology, completed his graduate training at MIT, is exploring the complex world of plant genomes. His research aims to uncover how distantly related plants use different chemistry to produce similar neuroactive molecules. “Plants are incredible chemists,” Colin remarked. “They can produce a vast array of compounds, some of which have significant medicinal relevance.”
Kim’s project focuses on the mesembrine alkaloids, neuroactive compounds found in the South African succulent, Kanna. These compounds have been used traditionally as antidepressants and are now popular as anxiety-relieving supplements. “I’m using genomic analyses to understand how the Kanna plant evolved its metabolic pathways for making mesembrine alkaloids,” he explained. “By sequencing plant genomes, we can uncover the evolutionary history of these biosynthetic pathways.”
Nett is equally excited about Kim’s research. “Colin’s work could reveal how distantly related plants use different chemistry to produce similar neuroactive molecules of medicinal relevance, and he plans to use genomic analyses to understand how these pathways evolved,” Nett says. “His expertise in sequencing plant genomes, which are notoriously large and complex, makes him well-positioned to pursue these questions, and investigating how these distinct – but related – metabolic pathways evolved could provide foundational knowledge on how chemical novelty emerges in plants.”.
Nett encourages his postdocs to apply for such fellowships, emphasizing the importance of developing independent research ideas. “The process of writing a proposal helps crystallize their ideas into a tangible plan,” Nett explained. “It’s a chance to think about the big picture and how their work can contribute to the field.”
As Martinez Grundman and Kim continue their research, their projects promise to shed light on the intricate dance of enzymes and the evolutionary pathways that lead to chemical diversity in plants. “I’m really looking forward to the discoveries they will make over the next few years,” adds Nett. “Their success in obtaining these fellowships is a great accomplishment and will set them up for future success.”
