Developing peptides to combat antibiotic resistance
Official title: Plugging & Pulling-in: tuning peptides for ToIC to overcome anitbiotic resistance
Funded at University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-10894274 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to help antibiotics work better against stubborn infections by using special proteins to block or use the bacteria's own pumps that push antibiotics out, making it easier for the medicine to do its job.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $302,962 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM148583-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894274 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from antibiotic-resistant infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections that are not caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on overcoming antibiotic resistance, which is a significant health threat. It investigates how specific peptides can interact with bacterial efflux pumps, which are responsible for expelling antibiotics from bacterial cells, thereby reducing their effectiveness. By targeting the outer membrane barrel of these pumps, the research aims to either plug them to prevent antibiotic efflux or use them to deliver drugs that cannot normally penetrate bacterial membranes. The ultimate goal is to enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics and develop new treatment strategies for resistant infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that restore the effectiveness of existing antibiotics against resistant bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting efflux pumps to combat antibiotic resistance, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Lawrence
Lawrence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Slusky, Joanna Sg — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Slusky, Joanna Sg
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
KC Youth Violence Prevention Center: A comprehensive plan to reduce youth violence
A program in Kansas City aims to reduce youth violence and deaths by applying a coordinated, community-focused approach.
-
Gene regulation and the genetic basis of complex traits (how our genes influence survival and trait differences)
Researchers are studying how genetic differences that affect gene regulation contribute to when and how people survive and reproduce, especially in natural populations.
-
Finding new treatments and understanding how congenital glycosylation disorders work
A research project aims to uncover how certain congenital glycosylation disorders develop and identify existing drugs that could help treat DPAGT1-CDG.
-
How ADP-ribosylation controls our antiviral defenses
Researchers are studying a cellular modification called ADP-ribosylation and how it helps the body fight viruses, with a focus on how coronaviruses interact with this process.
-
Chemoenzymatic synthesis to make biologically active molecules using enzyme libraries
A scientist team will develop enzyme-based methods to make complex drug-like molecules that could help fight cancer and other diseases.
-
DNA breaks and repair in opioid addiction
This project looks at how DNA damage and repair in brain cells may influence opioid addiction and relapse in people and animal models.
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.