Blocking antibiotic pumps in drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Inhibitors of adaptive efflux mediated resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii
Testing new compounds that block bacterial pumps so antibiotics can work better against Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11283970 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are searching for chemicals that stop A. baumannii from pumping antibiotics out of its cells. They screen large libraries of compounds using bacteria grown in conditions that mimic the human body to find molecules that block multiple efflux pumps. Promising compounds are then tested in bacterial cultures and in preclinical infection models to see if they restore antibiotic activity. Successful leads would be moved toward further development and eventual clinical testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with confirmed or suspected Acinetobacter baumannii infections—especially hospital-acquired pneumonia, bloodstream, or wound infections that are resistant to standard antibiotics—would be the likely candidates for future trials.
Not a fit: People with infections caused by other bacteria or whose A. baumannii resistance is driven by mechanisms unrelated to efflux pumps may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these inhibitors could restore the effectiveness of existing antibiotics against A. baumannii and reduce treatment failures from resistant infections.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory work has identified some efflux pump inhibitors, but few have advanced to effective clinical treatments, so this approach is promising yet not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dunman, Paul M. — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Dunman, Paul M.
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.