Creating a safe bacterial system for targeted drug delivery
Official title: Development of a Gene-Transfer-Resistant and Biocontained Next-Generation Bacterial Host for Controlled Drug Delivery
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-10933456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a special type of bacteria that can safely deliver medicine right where it's needed, helping to make treatments more effective and with fewer side effects for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $120,498 |
| NIH project number | 5K99EB035165-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10933456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients requiring innovative drug delivery solutions, particularly those with conditions that could benefit from targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require drug delivery systems or those with conditions that are not addressed by this technology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new type of bacterial host that can safely deliver drugs without spreading its genetic material to other organisms. By engineering these bacteria, the project aims to create a controlled environment where the bacteria can produce and release therapeutic agents only when specific conditions are met. This approach seeks to enhance the stability and effectiveness of drug delivery while preventing unintended consequences associated with genetic modifications. Patients may benefit from more effective treatments with fewer side effects due to the targeted nature of this delivery system.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective drug delivery methods for various medical conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of engineered living therapeutics is gaining traction, this specific approach to biocontainment and controlled drug delivery is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nyerges, Akos — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Nyerges, Akos
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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.