Changing a bacterial lipid to understand how E. coli builds its protective outer coating
Manipulating undecaprenyl phosphate levels to decipher mechanisms of competing cell envelope assembly pathways in Escherichia coli
Researchers will change levels of a bacterial lipid called undecaprenyl phosphate in E. coli to learn how the microbes build the protective layers that antibiotics target, aiming to guide better treatments for infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319854 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As someone following infection research, this project focuses on a lipid called undecaprenyl phosphate (Und-P) that bacteria use to assemble surface sugars and the cell wall. Scientists will use genetic and chemical tools to raise or lower Und-P levels and observe how those changes alter construction of the inner membrane, peptidoglycan cell wall, and outer membrane in E. coli. They will also manipulate the enzyme pathways that both make and use Und-P to see how these pathways compete for the shared lipid carrier. The team will map which processes depend on Und-P and look for vulnerabilities that new antibiotics or vaccines might exploit.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with E. coli infections, especially recurrent or antibiotic-resistant cases, are the group most likely to benefit from therapies informed by this research.
Not a fit: This lab-based basic research will not provide immediate treatment or direct clinical benefit to patients seeking urgent care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets on the bacterial cell envelope that lead to better antibiotics or vaccine components against E. coli and related pathogens.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show that reducing Und-P can weaken bacteria, but deliberately increasing Und-P and mapping competition among Und-P-using pathways is largely untested and represents a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Little Rock, United States
- Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis — Little Rock, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jorgenson, Matthew — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Jorgenson, Matthew
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.