Finding new drugs to combat antibiotic resistance using machine learning

Machine Learning Approach for finding novel metallo-b-lactamase inhibitors

NIH-funded research Miami University Oxford · NIH-10514544

This study is looking for new ways to stop certain bacteria from resisting antibiotics, which can make infections harder to treat, especially in COVID-19 patients, by testing over a million different compounds to find the best ones that can help.

Quick facts

Grant typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMiami University Oxford NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Oxford, United States)
Project IDNIH-10514544 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a machine learning model to identify potential inhibitors of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), which are enzymes that contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. By analyzing large chemical libraries, the researchers aim to discover new compounds that can effectively inhibit these enzymes, which are increasingly responsible for difficult-to-treat infections, including those seen in COVID-19 patients. The project involves screening over 1.3 million compounds and validating the most promising candidates through microbiological and biochemical studies. The ultimate goal is to provide a validated model and data to the public to aid in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly those with secondary infections related to COVID-19.

Not a fit: Patients with infections that are not caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new treatments for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using machine learning to identify drug candidates, suggesting that this approach could yield significant results.

Where this research is happening

Oxford, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Infection
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.