Developing new methods to create sugars from bacteria for vaccines
Official title: New Glycosylation Methods for Microbial Glycan Synthesis
Funded at University of Toledo · NIH-10515058 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new ways to make special sugars from bacteria that can help create better vaccines to fight infections, especially those caused by drug-resistant bacteria, so we can have more options beyond antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $451,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM147867-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10515058 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of bacterial infections, especially those with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of bacterial infections or those who have already been vaccinated against the targeted bacteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new techniques to synthesize complex sugars produced by bacteria, which are crucial for developing effective vaccines against bacterial infections. The project aims to overcome challenges in obtaining these sugars through traditional fermentation methods by using innovative chemical synthesis approaches. By developing new catalytic glycosylation methods, the researchers hope to produce high-quality and homogeneous glycan-based vaccines that can help prevent infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. This work is particularly important as it addresses the urgent need for alternatives to antibiotic treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective vaccines that prevent bacterial infections, particularly those caused by drug-resistant strains.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing glycan-based vaccines, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in vaccine development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Jianglong — University of Toledo
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Jianglong
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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.