Exploring how certain antimicrobial peptides can fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Official title: Investigating beta-hairpin antimicrobial peptide membrane activity and toxicity.
Funded at University of Missouri Kansas City · NIH-10785418 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring special proteins that can fight off tough bacteria that don't respond to regular antibiotics, with the hope of finding new and better treatments for infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri Kansas City NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $158,800 |
| NIH project number | 1K22AI179937-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10785418 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from bacterial infections that are resistant to current antibiotic treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-bacterial infections or those who do not have antibiotic-resistant infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the structure and function of β-hairpin antimicrobial peptides, which are promising candidates for combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The project aims to develop new strategies for antibiotic discovery by investigating how these peptides can penetrate bacterial membranes and disrupt their function. By utilizing a novel synthetic peptide screening technique, the research will analyze thousands of synthetic β-AMPs to determine their antibacterial potency and toxicity to mammalian cells. This could lead to the development of more effective treatments for bacterial infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antibiotics that are effective against resistant bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using antimicrobial peptides to combat bacterial resistance, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Randall, Justin Roy — University of Missouri Kansas City
- Study coordinator: Randall, Justin Roy
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeting TGF-βRII to treat alcoholic liver fibrosis
A study to test a new peptide that blocks a key fibrosis signal and a gene-silencing approach to help reverse liver fibrosis caused by alcohol use.
-
AI-powered multimodal imaging to improve risk stratification of oral precancer
Aims to use an AI-enhanced imaging approach that combines FTIR biochemical fingerprints with tissue structure to better predict which oral precancerous lesions will become cancer in patients.
-
Uncovering the roles of Bruno1 protein variants in fruit-fly muscle development
This project studies how different Bruno1 protein variants control muscle fiber formation in fruit flies, which could reveal targets to support healthy muscle development.
-
How virus condensates change how cells make proteins
Scientists study how viral protein condensates inside cells affect which proteins are made, focusing on certain plant viruses to learn about virus-host interactions.
-
Estimating how environment and other risk factors influence fungal infections in the U.S.
This project uses huge electronic health records to understand how environmental factors and patient risk factors affect common fungal infections in diverse U.S. communities.
-
Bone matrix build-up and breakdown in living bones
This grant studies how bone tissue forms its matrix and then resorbs it, using live cells and animals to understand osteoporosis.
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.