Creating a powerful, ready-to-use phage therapy for bacterial infections
Mining the phage playbook to create a potent, generic phage therapy
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11112496
This project aims to develop a new type of treatment using natural viruses called phages to fight bacterial infections, offering an alternative to traditional antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11112496 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are a growing concern, and current phage therapies often need to be custom-made for each patient, which takes time. This research explores how phages naturally overcome bacterial defenses to create a 'super phage cocktail' that could work against many different bacterial strains. The goal is to develop an 'off-the-shelf' phage treatment that is effective against a wider range of infections and can also prevent bacteria from becoming resistant. This approach could make phage therapy much more accessible and faster for patients needing treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with bacterial infections, particularly those with antibiotic-resistant strains, could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: Patients without bacterial infections or those whose infections respond well to existing antibiotics may not directly benefit from this specific new therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new, readily available treatment for bacterial infections, especially those resistant to current antibiotics.
How similar studies have performed: While individual phage therapies have shown success, the development of a broad-spectrum, generic phage therapy is a novel and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES
- WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY — SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LEROUX, MICHELE — WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: LEROUX, MICHELE
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.
Conditions: Bacterial Infections