Creating new drugs to fight bacterial toxins using probiotic yeast
Official title: Brewing anti-toxin drugs using probiotic yeast
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-10687670 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people with gut infections, like C. difficile, by using special yeast to create helpful substances that work with antibiotics to fight off bad bacteria and keep your gut healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,333,682 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2AT012795-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10687670 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from recurrent bacterial infections, particularly those related to antibiotic resistance or C. difficile.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections that do not involve bacterial toxins or those who are not affected by antibiotic resistance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative drugs that can neutralize harmful toxins produced by bacteria in the gut. By using probiotic yeast, the project aims to create peptides that can work alongside antibiotics to enhance their effectiveness and reduce the risk of recurrent infections, such as those caused by C. difficile. The approach involves engineering these peptides to target specific toxin activities, which could help protect the beneficial bacteria in the gut while treating infections. Patients may benefit from a new treatment option that addresses antibiotic resistance and improves gut health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with a new class of drugs that effectively combat bacterial infections while preserving healthy gut bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using probiotic yeast to develop anti-toxin therapies is innovative, similar strategies targeting bacterial toxins have shown promise in preliminary studies.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crook, Nathan C. — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Crook, Nathan C.
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.