Engineering viruses to fight bacterial infections
Official title: Phage-inspired engineering and evolution
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10928269 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to fight bacterial infections using specially designed viruses called phages that can deliver heat to target bacteria, and it’s for anyone interested in better treatments for infections that don’t respond to regular antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $384,106 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM148249-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928269 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from bacterial infections, particularly those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with viral infections or those who do not have bacterial infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on using engineered viruses, known as phages, to develop new antibacterial therapies. The team aims to create nanomaterials that can specifically target and treat bacterial infections by delivering heat through colloidal gold when exposed to light. Additionally, the project explores the evolutionary potential of phages by studying the functions of peptides displayed on their surfaces. By encapsulating these phages in lipid nanoparticles, the researchers hope to enhance their effectiveness and reduce immune responses. Overall, this innovative approach combines advanced synthetic technologies with insights from metagenomics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new and effective treatments for bacterial infections that are resistant to current antibiotics.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using phages as antibacterial agents, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Irene Ann — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Chen, Irene Ann
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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.