Developing materials to prevent bacterial infections on medical devices
Official title: Antimicrobial Biomaterials that Interfere with Bacterial Nucleotide Messenger Signaling
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11099991 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new materials for medical devices that can help stop bacterial infections by making it harder for bacteria to stick together and form tough clusters, which could make treatments more effective for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $657,241 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI185093-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11099991 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who require implantable medical devices, such as catheters or prosthetics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require any medical devices or who are not at risk for bacterial infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new antimicrobial materials that can be used on medical devices to prevent bacterial infections. It aims to interfere with the signaling processes that bacteria use to form biofilms, which are clusters of bacteria that adhere to surfaces and are difficult to treat. By synthesizing specific small molecules and attaching them to biomaterial surfaces, the research seeks to enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics and reduce biofilm formation. The approach involves both laboratory testing and potential applications in real-world medical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer medical devices with a lower risk of infection for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar approaches to disrupt bacterial signaling and reduce biofilm formation, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Lichong — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Xu, Lichong
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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.