Developing a new method to edit bacterial genes using phage proteins
Official title: Harnessing Broad-Specificity Phage Recombinases for Universal Bacterial Editing platforms
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-10949315 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to change the genes of bacteria to help us better understand and fight infections, especially those that are hard to treat, like antibiotic-resistant ones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | August 13, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $453,900 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2AI184732-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10949315 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by non-bacterial pathogens or those who do not have antibiotic-resistant infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a versatile platform for editing bacterial genomes, which is essential for understanding and combating bacterial infections. By utilizing phage recombinases, the team aims to manipulate genetic elements in various bacterial species, including those that are difficult to study in the lab. The approach involves high-throughput selection techniques to identify effective recombinases from a wide range of bacterial genomes, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treating antibiotic-resistant infections. This innovative method could enhance our ability to tackle pathogens that pose significant health risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating bacterial infections, particularly those resistant to current antibiotics.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using phage recombinases for genetic editing in laboratory settings, but this approach is novel in its application to a broader range of clinical pathogens.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Varble, Andrew — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Varble, Andrew
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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.