Bacterial changes that make colistin and other polymyxins less effective
Modifications of Lipid A with Phospho-Ethanolamine Impacting Polymyxin Resistance
Researchers are working on drugs that block a bacterial enzyme so last-resort antibiotics like colistin can work again for people with resistant Acinetobacter infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11233298 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Some bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii add a small chemical to their outer surface that helps them survive antibiotics like colistin. Scientists at the University of Colorado will study how that chemical (phosphoethanolamine) is attached to lipid A and try to make compounds that block the enzyme that does this. The work is mainly laboratory-based using bacterial cultures and biochemical tests, and may include models to see if combining the blocker with colistin restores killing of resistant strains. The goal is to identify a drug-like molecule that could later move toward testing in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with infections caused by carbapenem-resistant or colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii would be the most relevant group to benefit.
Not a fit: People with infections caused by other types of bacteria or whose infections are already treatable with standard antibiotics are unlikely to see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could restore the effectiveness of colistin against deadly multidrug-resistant infections like carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter, potentially reducing deaths from these infections.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies have shown that blocking lipid A modifications can restore colistin sensitivity in bacteria, but no inhibitor from this approach has yet become an approved clinical treatment.
Where this research is happening
Boulder, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado — Boulder, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sousa, Marcelo C. — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Sousa, Marcelo C.
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.