Developing peptides to fight antibiotic resistance in bacteria

Plugging & Pulling-in: tuning peptides for TolC to overcome antibiotic resistance

NIH-funded research University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-11100928

This study is looking for new ways to help antibiotics work better against tough infections like E. coli by blocking the bacteria's pumps that push the medicine out, which could lead to better treatments for people dealing with antibiotic-resistant infections.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Lawrence, United States)
Project IDNIH-11100928 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on overcoming antibiotic resistance by targeting efflux pumps in bacteria, specifically E. coli. These pumps expel antibiotics, making them ineffective, and the study aims to develop peptides that can either plug these pumps or facilitate drug delivery into bacterial cells. By understanding the necessary protein interactions, the researchers hope to enhance the effectiveness of existing antibiotics and create new treatment avenues. Patients with antibiotic-resistant infections may benefit from the outcomes of this research.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from antibiotic-resistant infections, particularly those caused by E. coli.

Not a fit: Patients with infections that are not caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that restore the effectiveness of existing antibiotics against resistant bacterial infections.

How similar studies have performed: 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

Lawrence, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.