Exploring new ways to improve aminoglycoside antibiotics for treating bacterial infections
Official title: Disrupting Dogma: Investigating LPS Biosynthesis Inhibition as an Alternative Mechanism of Action of Aminoglycoside Antibiotics
Funded at Wesleyan University · NIH-10653587 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make certain antibiotics work better against tough infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, like E. coli, by changing their design to target a specific enzyme, which could lead to safer and more effective treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wesleyan University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Middletown, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $474,697 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AI176175-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10653587 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, particularly those who have not responded well to existing antibiotic treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria or those who are not currently experiencing bacterial infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how aminoglycoside antibiotics can be redesigned to better target specific bacterial enzymes, potentially leading to more effective treatments for infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. The team will explore the binding interactions between these antibiotics and a key enzyme called heptosyltransferase I (HepI) in E. coli, aiming to enhance the drugs' effectiveness while minimizing harmful side effects. By using computational methods and structural modifications, the researchers hope to create improved versions of these antibiotics that are less toxic to patients. This approach could provide a new avenue for combating antibiotic resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of safer and more effective antibiotics for patients suffering from bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on aminoglycosides, this specific approach to redesigning them based on HepI interactions is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Wesleyan University
Middletown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taylor, Erika a — Wesleyan University
- Study coordinator: Taylor, Erika a
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.