Developing new antimicrobial peptides to fight drug-resistant infections
Official title: Multi-Target Design and Analysis of DNA-Binding Antimicrobial Peptides
Funded at Wellesley College · NIH-10730319 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on developing new treatments using special proteins that can fight off stubborn bacterial infections that don't respond to regular antibiotics, aiming to help patients who struggle with these tough infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wellesley College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wellesley, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $452,339 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM151679-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10730319 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from bacterial infections that are resistant to standard antibiotic treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by non-bacterial pathogens or those who do not have antibiotic-resistant infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that can effectively combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. By modifying existing AMPs to enhance their ability to bind to bacterial membranes and DNA, the project aims to improve their effectiveness against bacteria. The approach combines advanced computational modeling and experimental techniques to design and test these peptides, potentially leading to new treatments for infections that are currently difficult to manage. Patients may benefit from these innovative therapies that target the fundamental structures of bacteria, making it harder for them to develop resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using antimicrobial peptides to combat bacterial infections, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Wellesley College
Wellesley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Radhakrishnan, Mala L — Wellesley College
- Study coordinator: Radhakrishnan, Mala L
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.