Blue light plus antibiotics to fight drug-resistant infections
Combination of Antimicrobial Blue Light and Antibiotics to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria
['FUNDING_R01'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-11260208
Using safe blue light together with antibiotics to better kill infections that resist usual drugs.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11260208 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are testing whether short-wavelength blue light used alongside existing antibiotics can work together to kill drug-resistant bacteria. They will run laboratory experiments on bacteria and on human cells to measure how well the combination kills bugs and whether it harms normal human cells. The team will identify which reactive oxygen species are involved and examine whether bacteria can develop resistance to the combined treatment. Work is based at Massachusetts General Hospital and could lead to animal studies or future clinical trials if results are promising.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria—particularly skin and soft tissue infections or abscesses—would be the most likely candidates for related future trials.
Not a fit: Patients with deep internal infections that light cannot reach, or those who cannot receive specific antibiotics, may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could restore the effectiveness of current antibiotics and offer new light-based treatments for hard-to-treat wounds and abscesses.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and some clinical work shows blue light can kill bacteria and enhance antibiotic action in certain settings, but broadly combining blue light with antibiotics remains a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DAI, TIANHONG — MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: DAI, TIANHONG
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.