Developing new antibiotics to fight drug-resistant bacteria
Official title: Bactericidal antibiotics targeting lipoprotein transport in Gram-negative bacteria
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-11029445 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on developing new antibiotics to help fight tough bacteria like E. coli and K. pneumoniae that don't respond to regular treatments, making it easier for people to get better when they have infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | November 20, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $749,417 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI187556-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11029445 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria, particularly those involving E. coli and K. pneumoniae.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by non-gram-negative bacteria or those not affected by antibiotic resistance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new antibiotics to combat multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, specifically targeting E. coli and K. pneumoniae. The approach involves modifying existing antibiotic structures to enhance their effectiveness and reduce the likelihood of bacteria developing resistance. The team will synthesize a variety of antibiotic candidates and test their potency and safety through laboratory studies. Additionally, advanced imaging techniques will be used to understand how these antibiotics interact with bacterial transport systems, which will guide the design of future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective antibiotics that can treat infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing antibiotics targeting bacterial transport mechanisms, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Myers, Andrew G — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Myers, Andrew G
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using biomaterials to boost T cell immunity against cancer
This study is exploring new ways to boost the immune system's T cells, which help fight cancer, by using special materials to create artificial cells that can better activate them, with the hope of developing improved treatments for cancer patients.
-
Understanding how venom glands develop to reveal new medicines
A Corsortium at Harvard studies how venom glands form and work in different animals to uncover new ways to create and use powerful medicines for human health.
-
Muscle Mass: a Key Missing Piece in How We Model Movement
This project studies how adding muscle mass to computer models changes predictions of movement, aiming to improve mobility for people of all ages.
-
Synthetic circuit tools to precisely control human immune cells
Aims to design safe, programmable gene circuits that can steer human immune cells for better therapies.
-
HPF-X: A fast, buffer-exchanging high-pressure freezing tool for capturing rapid cellular events
A new tool called HPF-X will let scientists freeze cells at precise moments after stimulation, so we can see rapid molecular changes in neuroscience and related fields.
-
Pathways and factors to prevent early-onset colorectal tumors
This NIH grant would explore why colorectal cancer is rising in people under 50 and identify clues we can use to prevent it.
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.