NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Antimicrobial Peptides: How well they work in realistic infections

Official title: A Multi-Scale Study of Antimicrobial Peptide Action Beyond Steady-State Growth

Funded at California State University Northridge · NIH-11424438 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A scientist team will study how antimicrobial peptides work against bacteria in conditions that resemble real infections, with the goal of understanding their true potential.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCalifornia State University Northridge
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Northridge, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2026
Project endAugust 31, 2030
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$147,500
NIH project number1R16AI201139-01
Project IDNIH-11424438 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Not applicable to patient enrollment at this stage; the project informs future research that could benefit people with bacterial infections.

Less likely to help

There is no direct patient participation or immediate treatment from this grant.

What this research studies

This project looks at antimicrobial peptides under conditions that mimic infections, including dense bacterial communities and non-growing cells. Researchers will develop and test lab protocols that model biofilms and nutrient-limited states to see how peptides perform. The work aims to generate quantitative models of peptide activity beyond traditional, simplified lab tests. Findings could clarify whether AMPs can effectively target hard-to-kill bacteria in real-world infections.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide the development of more effective AMP-based therapies for resistant infections.

How similar studies have gone: Previous AMP studies often used simplified models; this project tests them in more realistic conditions, with some prior work suggesting variable outcomes under different bacterial states.

Where this research is happening

  • California State University Northridge
    Northridge, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Taheri Araghi, Sattar — California State University Northridge
  • Study coordinator: Taheri Araghi, Sattar

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About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.