Developing protective coatings for beneficial microbes
Official title: Protecting microbes so they can protect us
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-10687576 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new materials that can help protect helpful microbes from things like heat and sunlight, which could make it easier to store and transport treatments made from these microbes for better health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,431,000 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2GM154015-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10687576 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who may benefit from microbial therapies, particularly those with conditions related to multi-drug resistant infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have conditions that could be treated with microbial therapies may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating self-assembling nanomaterials that act as a protective shield for microbes, which are crucial for human health. The goal is to understand how these coatings can safeguard microbes from various environmental stressors such as UV light, extreme temperatures, and humidity during processing and storage. By studying the physical and chemical properties of these coatings, the researchers aim to develop an algorithm that can predict the best protective coatings for different microbial strains. This could lead to improved manufacturing and transportation of microbial therapeutics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the viability and effectiveness of microbial therapies, leading to better health outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using protective coatings for microbes, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Furst, Ariel Lesa — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Furst, Ariel Lesa
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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.