Developing new antibiotics targeting bacterial RNA regulation
Official title: R15 AREA: Optimizing allosteric modulation of noncoding regulatory RNA function
Funded at Ohio University Athens · NIH-11036536 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new antibiotics to help fight tough bacterial infections by targeting a special part of the bacteria's genetic material, which could lead to better treatments for people dealing with drug-resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio University Athens NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $89,716 |
| NIH project number | 3R15GM132841-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036536 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, particularly those that are resistant to current antibiotic treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria or those who do not have bacterial infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the growing problem of bacterial drug resistance by exploring new antibiotics that target a specific noncoding RNA called the T-box riboswitch. This riboswitch plays a crucial role in regulating essential genes in Gram-positive bacteria, which are often responsible for serious infections. The researchers will use advanced computational methods to design compounds that can modulate the function of this RNA, followed by laboratory testing to evaluate their effectiveness. By targeting this unique mechanism, the research aims to create novel antibacterial agents that could combat resistant bacterial infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antibiotics that effectively treat previously hard-to-treat bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting noncoding RNAs for antibiotic development is relatively novel, there is growing interest and preliminary success in similar strategies within the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio University Athens
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hines, Jennifer V — Ohio University Athens
- Study coordinator: Hines, Jennifer V
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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.