06/15/2026
Could Alabama Black Belt soil hold clues to better leukemia treatments?
AUM Distinguished Research Professor of Industrial Microbiology Benedict Okeke is leading a National Institutes of Health-funded study to find out.
Supported by a $403,640 NIH R15 Research Grant, Okeke is studying naturally occurring microorganisms from the Alabama Black Belt that may produce enhanced forms of L-asparaginase, an enzyme currently used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer.
His research seeks to identify more effective versions of the enzyme that could improve treatments while reducing side effects for patients. The work may also have applications in food safety and biotechnology.
“The Alabama Black Belt's distinctive soil environment may harbor microorganisms with biological properties that have yet to be explored and could lead to new discoveries with medical and industrial applications,” Okeke said.
Read more about Okeke's study → https://www.aum.edu/aum-researcher-explores-alabama-black-belt-microorganisms-for-improved-leukemia-treatments/