A new treatment for drug-resistant bacteria using light and specific chemicals
Official title: A novel bacteria-specific pro-photosensitizer
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11053606 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to help people with stubborn infections in their wounds by using a special light and a plant-based treatment to target and kill tough bacteria that don't respond to regular antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 11, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $248,148 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI183486-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053606 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with chronic wounds infected by multidrug-resistant bacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria that are not multidrug-resistant may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly those found in chronic wounds, by using a bacteria-specific pro-photosensitizer combined with blue light. The treatment aims to kill harmful bacteria like Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are often resistant to traditional antibiotics. By utilizing a combination of light and specific phytochemicals, the researchers hope to develop a non-antibiotic therapy that can effectively reduce bacterial infections in patients. The study will also explore its effectiveness against other resistant bacteria that are common in hospital settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results using light-based therapies for bacterial infections, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Mei X — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Wu, Mei X
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.