Antibiotics that target a bacterial protein called TrmD to fight Gram-negative infections
TrmD-targeting actinobacterial natural products as next generation antibiotics
This project looks for natural antibiotics that can get inside and kill hard-to-treat Gram-negative bacteria by blocking a bacterial enzyme called TrmD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136365 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are searching microbes for natural drug candidates that block TrmD, a bacterial enzyme that helps make important membrane proteins. Blocking TrmD can cause errors in protein production that lead to bacterial cell death, especially in Gram-negative bugs that resist many drugs. The team will screen large collections of microbial extracts for compounds that both enter bacterial cells and selectively inhibit TrmD without hitting the human equivalent. Promising hits will be tested in lab-grown bacteria (like E. coli) and in biochemical assays to confirm antibacterial activity and selectivity, with the goal of advancing leads toward future drug development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal future trial participants would be people with serious Gram-negative bacterial infections that are resistant to available antibiotics.
Not a fit: People with viral illnesses or infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria would not be helped by these antibiotics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce new antibiotics that can treat infections caused by drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
How similar studies have performed: Previous pharmaceutical and academic screens found TrmD inhibitors but those compounds generally lacked the ability to penetrate Gram-negative cells, so this natural-product approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Thomas Jefferson University — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hou, Ya-Ming — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Hou, Ya-Ming
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 below.