Antibiotic-sparing strategies for bacterial infections
Official title: Antibiotic-sparing strategies for treatment of bacterial infections
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11308781 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-project program aims to find smarter ways to treat infections caused by resistant bacteria while using antibiotics more sparingly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | June 24, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,500,000 |
| NIH project number | 1P01AI197186-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11308781 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, including Acinetobacter baumannii and other listed pathogens, may benefit from future therapies developed through this program.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without infections from the targeted resistant bacteria may not directly benefit from these interventions.
What this research studies
This grant brings together experts in bacterial diseases, drug targets, biochemistry, and AI to develop new strategies that reduce reliance on traditional antibiotics. The work will explore targets and pathways in dangerous bacteria and use AI to identify promising approaches for therapy. If successful, these strategies could lead to safer treatments that preserve antibiotic effectiveness for people facing resistant infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to new treatments that save lives by treating resistant infections with fewer antibiotics.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows promise for AI-assisted drug discovery and novel targets, though this program is expected to advance beyond current approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hultgren, Scott J. — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Hultgren, Scott J.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Host-Directed Orynotide for MDR Gram-Negative Infections
A new drug candidate called Orynotide MTD12813 is being developed to treat serious drug-resistant infections caused by bacteria like Acinetobacter and Enterobacteriaceae.
-
Genomic-informed, low-cost, portable test to rapidly identify drug-resistant bacterial infections
A portable, affordable test called BADLOCK could quickly identify bacteria and resistance genes from blood samples to help treat drug-resistant infections.
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Novel BMX antibiotics for tough Gram-negative infections
A new class of BMX antibiotics is being developed to fight hard-to-treat Gram-negative infections like Acinetobacter baumannii in patients.
-
Center to speed up antibacterial drugs for hard-to-treat infections
A national center at Hackensack University Medical Center aims to speed up the development of new antibiotics to fight high-threat, drug-resistant bacterial infections.
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Center accelerating antibiotic development for high-threat bacterial infections
A research center in academia–industry collaboration is speeding up the development of new antibiotics to fight highly resistant bacteria so patients have better treatment options.
-
PACC1 in the body’s defense against bacterial infections and sepsis
A study exploring how a protein called PACC1 helps immune cells fight bacteria and prevent sepsis, with potential benefits for people at risk of severe infections.
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.