Developing a new method to create antibiotics using engineered proteins
Official title: A Plug-and-Play Platform for Continuous Directed Evolution of Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10867141 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating new antibiotics by tweaking certain proteins to make them better at fighting tough bacterial infections, which could help patients who need more effective treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $240,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21GM154190-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10867141 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from bacterial infections, particularly those caused by antibiotic-resistant strains.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with viral infections or those who do not have bacterial infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the production of nonribosomal peptides (NRPs), which are crucial for developing new antibiotics. By engineering specific proteins known as nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), the project aims to create tailored antibiotics that can combat bacterial infections more effectively. The approach involves manipulating the genetic code that dictates how these proteins assemble NRPs, potentially leading to innovative treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Patients may benefit from new antibiotic therapies that are more effective against infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of novel antibiotics that are more effective against resistant bacterial strains.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in engineering nonribosomal peptide synthetases for antibiotic development, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnston, Chad William — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Johnston, Chad William
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multimodal AI to improve genetic diagnosis of congenital heart disease
A new AI tool uses multiple types of patient data to help doctors find genetic causes of congenital heart disease more accurately.
-
Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Children
This project watches how often common vaccines prevent illnesses in kids who are in the hospital or at the emergency department, and compares them with healthy children getting well-child care.
-
Triple gene therapy approach to heal the heart after a heart attack
A new therapy combines three genetic approaches delivered by a virus to help the heart heal after a heart attack.
-
Thalamic sleep circuit changes in Alzheimer's disease
Aims to understand how sleep-related brain activity in a key sleep regulator called the TRN affects Alzheimer’s progression and whether boosting TRN function could slow symptoms.
-
Cardiomyocyte-fibroblast signaling in atrial fibrillation
A researcher at Baylor College of Medicine is studying how signals between heart muscle cells and supportive heart cells influence atrial fibrillation, with the goal of finding new ways to prevent or treat this common heart rhythm problem.
-
UMPIRE: Keeping Kidneys Healthy for Babies with Spina Bifida
A care protocol for newborns with spina bifida aims to protect kidney function by thoughtful bladder management and monitoring from birth.
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.