Discovering new viruses that can target antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Receptor-Guided Discovery of Environmental Phages
This study is exploring how to find special viruses that can attack harmful bacteria, especially those that don't respond to antibiotics, to help create new treatments for infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11072959 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on bacteriophages, which are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. The project aims to develop a new method to identify environmental phages based on their dependence on specific bacterial receptors. By using a co-culture technique, researchers will be able to visualize and select phages that can effectively target antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This approach could lead to innovative therapies that harness these natural viruses to combat bacterial infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Not a fit: Patients with infections that are not caused by bacterial pathogens or those who do not have antibiotic-resistant infections may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new treatment options for patients suffering from antibiotic-resistant infections.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using bacteriophages as alternative treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Harvard University — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rand, Eleanor — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Rand, Eleanor
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 below.