Creating new antibiotics to fight cholera bacteria
Official title: DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL CLASS OF ANTIBIOTICS AGAINST VIBRIO CHOLERAE NA+-NQR
Funded at Illinois Institute of Technology · NIH-10975034 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new type of antibiotic that targets a specific enzyme in the cholera bacteria, which could help make the bacteria weaker and more vulnerable to existing treatments, especially for people who have infections that don't respond to current antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Illinois Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | December 13, 2021 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $472,080 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI151152-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975034 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by cholera or those at high risk of cholera infection, especially in regions with outbreaks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cholera who are already responding well to existing antibiotic treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new class of antibiotics targeting the sodium-dependent NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR) enzyme found in Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera. By inhibiting this enzyme, the research aims to disrupt the bacteria's energy production and nutrient uptake, making it more susceptible to existing antibiotics. The approach utilizes novel compounds that have shown promising antibacterial properties in preliminary tests. If successful, this could lead to effective treatments for cholera, especially in cases where bacteria have developed resistance to current antibiotics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new treatment options for cholera, particularly against multidrug-resistant strains.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in targeting similar bacterial enzymes, indicating potential for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Juarez, Oscar — Illinois Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Juarez, Oscar
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.