A new, single-cell approach to find non-traditional antibiotics
Official title: A single-cell approach to developing non-traditional antibiotics
Funded at Princeton University · NIH-11377712 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing an exciting single-cell method to discover antibiotics with new ways of stopping bacteria, aiming to help people with bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,444,000 |
| NIH project number | 4DP1AI190418-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377712 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with bacterial infections where resistance limits current treatments, particularly those facing severe or hard-to-treat infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without bacterial infections or those whose infection is easily treated with existing antibiotics may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project uses a cutting-edge single-cell RNA sequencing method to capture how bacteria and human cells react during infection, which could reveal novel antibiotic strategies. By sequencing mRNAs in hundreds of thousands of cells at once, the team can map how bacteria and host cells influence each other in real time. The goal is to identify non-traditional antibiotics with new mechanisms of action that can overcome resistant bacteria and improve treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with resistant bacterial infections could have more effective and durable treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Early single-cell approaches have shown promise in revealing host-pathogen interactions, supporting the potential value of this strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
Princeton University
Princeton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gitai, Zemer — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Gitai, Zemer
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.