Developing new agents to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Combinatorial approach to develop novel pre-therapeutic agents targeting virulence factors essential to clinically relevant pathogens
This study is looking for new ways to fight tough bacteria that don’t respond to regular antibiotics, aiming to find safe treatments that can help people without harming the good bacteria in their bodies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10681469 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating innovative pre-therapeutic agents that specifically target the virulence factors of harmful bacteria, particularly those that are resistant to current antibiotics. By using a combinatorial approach, the study aims to identify and optimize inhibitors that can disrupt the pathogenic mechanisms of bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa without harming the beneficial microbiota in the body. The methodology includes assessing the structure-activity relationship of these inhibitors and employing virtual screening techniques to discover effective compounds. This approach seeks to provide a safer alternative to traditional antibiotics, potentially reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly those at risk of nosocomial infections.
Not a fit: Patients with infections caused by non-resistant bacteria or those who do not have access to the specific treatments being developed may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively combat antibiotic-resistant infections while preserving healthy gut bacteria.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in targeting bacterial virulence factors as a novel approach to combat antibiotic resistance, indicating that this strategy could be effective.
Where this research is happening
Blacksburg, United States
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ — Blacksburg, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lam, Hanh Ngoc — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Lam, Hanh Ngoc
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 below.