Developing new antibiotics targeting specific bacterial enzymes
Official title: Synthesis and Evaluation of Prp-Specific Probes and Prodrugs
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10742524 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new antibiotics that can specifically target harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridioides difficile, while leaving good bacteria alone, to help fight infections more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $245,339 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI166327-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10742524 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, such as those caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Clostridioides difficile.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria that do not utilize the Prp enzyme may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new antibiotics that specifically target a unique enzyme called phage-related ribosomal protease (Prp), which is essential for the survival of certain harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridioides difficile. By understanding how Prp interacts with ribosomal proteins, the researchers aim to design prodrugs that can selectively kill these pathogens while sparing beneficial bacteria. The study will involve testing these new drugs for their effectiveness against both harmful and beneficial bacteria, providing insights into their selectivity and reactivity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective antibiotics that combat antibiotic-resistant infections with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting specific bacterial enzymes for antibiotic development, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: May, Aaron Elijah — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: May, Aaron Elijah
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Healthy Communities for Youth: Preventing Youth Violence in Richmond and Beyond
A community-centered program to reduce youth violence in Richmond, VA and similar communities by pairing youth voices, hospital-based support, and capacity-building for local groups.
-
S1P-S1PR1: How brain cells talk to each other during development
A study at Virginia Commonwealth University will look at how brain support cells called astrocytes communicate with neurons to shape brain circuits in development.
-
Leader cell mechanics drive collective tumor invasion in breast cancer
A small grant is funding research to understand how leader cancer cells at the edge of a tumor sense their environment and drive groups of cancer cells to invade, which could reveal new ways to stop metastasis in breast cancer.
-
How itch-sensing nerves affect skin defense against parasites
Scientists want to see if itching nerves in the skin influence how the body fights skin-hugging parasites like Schistosoma mansoni.
-
VA-ACCERT Center: Transforming Cancer Control in Virginia's public housing communities
A team at Virginia universities partners with public housing programs to spread proven ways to prevent cancer and improve cancer health in low-income communities.
-
PROMINENT cancer research: understanding how mutations in normal tissue relate to cancer growth
A cancer research project at a major university is exploring how DNA mutations in normal cells relate to the development of cancer, using animal models and human tissues to uncover clues that could inform prevention and treatment.
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.