Exploring how natural antimicrobial peptides are made
Official title: Expanding the biosynthetic mechanisms of natural antimicrobial peptides
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11110482 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how certain natural substances made by bacteria can help fight infections that don't respond to regular antibiotics, with the hope of finding new treatments for people dealing with antibiotic-resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | June 7, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $224,449 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178268-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110482 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections that are not caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the biosynthetic mechanisms behind natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are promising alternatives to traditional antibiotics. By understanding how these peptides are produced in bacteria, the project aims to identify new ways to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. The research employs molecular biology techniques, bacterial genetics, and biochemical assays to dissect the genetic instructions that lead to AMP production. This could lead to the development of effective treatments for infections that are resistant to current antibiotics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new therapeutic options for patients suffering from antibiotic-resistant infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing new antibiotics from natural products, indicating that this approach could be successful.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dickey, Seth Wayne — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Dickey, Seth Wayne
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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.