Developing a new platform to find antibiotics from natural sources

A Next-Generation Scalable Platform to Discover Antimicrobials of Ribosomal Origin

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11126685

This study is looking for new antibiotics made from natural sources to help fight tough bacterial infections that don't respond to current treatments, so patients can have better options for getting well.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Champaign, United States)
Project IDNIH-11126685 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on discovering new antibiotics derived from natural products, specifically ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). The team utilizes advanced genomic technologies and synthetic biology to enhance the discovery process, aiming to overcome the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria. By creating a fully automated and scalable pipeline, the project seeks to identify and produce effective new antimicrobial agents that can be used in clinical settings. Patients may benefit from the development of new antibiotics that can effectively treat resistant bacterial infections.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Not a fit: Patients with infections that are not caused by bacterial pathogens or those who do not have antibiotic-resistant infections may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antibiotics that effectively combat antibiotic-resistant infections.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in utilizing natural products for antibiotic development, indicating that this approach has the potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Champaign, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.