NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Developing new methods to create antimicrobial peptides for treating infections

Official title: Chemical methods to prepare bioactive cyclic and lassoed peptide therapeutics

Funded at University of Utah · NIH-11110403 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring new ways to create special proteins that could help fight tough infections caused by bacteria that don't respond to many medicines, aiming to offer better treatment options for patients dealing with these challenging infections.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Utah
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Salt Lake City, United States)
Project startJune 14, 2024
Project endApril 30, 2029
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$385,000
NIH project number5R35GM155457-02
Project IDNIH-11110403 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

Less likely to help

Patients with infections caused by non-resistant bacteria or those who do not respond to peptide-based therapies may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating innovative chemical methods to synthesize bioactive cyclic and lassoed peptides that can serve as potential antimicrobial therapies. By utilizing advanced techniques, the team aims to design peptides that are effective against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, which are a significant challenge in modern medicine. The project combines experimental approaches with computational modeling to optimize the stability and effectiveness of these peptides. Patients may benefit from new treatment options that could combat resistant infections more effectively.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antimicrobial therapies that effectively treat infections caused by resistant bacteria.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing peptide-based therapies for infections, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Utah
    Salt Lake City, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Roberts, Andrew George — University of Utah
  • Study coordinator: Roberts, Andrew George

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About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.