Finding New Antibiotics from Great Salt Lake Microbes
Genomics-Assisted Antibiotic Discovery from Unprecedented Microbes of the Great Salt Lake
This project looks for new antibiotics in unique microbes from the Great Salt Lake to help fight infections that are resistant to current medicines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11114009 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many common infections are becoming harder to treat because bacteria are developing resistance to existing antibiotics. This project aims to discover completely new antibiotics by exploring microorganisms found in the Great Salt Lake, an extreme environment known for its high salt content. Researchers believe these unique microbes may produce novel natural compounds that could become powerful new drugs. By studying these compounds, the goal is to find new ways to combat drug-resistant bacteria.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not recruiting patients directly but aims to benefit future patients suffering from severe antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Not a fit: Patients whose infections are still treatable with existing antibiotics may not directly benefit from this specific early-stage drug discovery effort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of entirely new antibiotic medications, offering hope for patients with infections that no longer respond to current treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Natural products have historically been a rich source of antibiotics, but this approach explores an entirely new and extreme environment for novel compounds.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winter, Jaclyn Marie — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Winter, Jaclyn Marie
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.