Finding New Medicines from Bacteria
Discovery and Biosynthesis of Bacterial Terpenoids
This project looks for new natural substances from bacteria, especially a type called actinobacteria, to find new medicines that could help fight infections and diseases like malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11139398 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project explores bacteria to find new natural compounds, called terpenoids, which are often overlooked but have great potential for medicine. Researchers will learn how bacteria create these compounds and then use this knowledge to develop new drugs. The goal is to uncover new antibiotics and anti-malarial treatments by understanding these natural processes. This work could lead to innovative ways to combat drug-resistant infections and other diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation, but future clinical trials stemming from this work would seek patients with specific bacterial infections or malaria.
Not a fit: Patients not currently affected by bacterial infections or malaria would not directly benefit from the immediate outcomes of this early-stage drug discovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics and anti-malarial drugs, offering new treatment options for patients.
How similar studies have performed: While the discovery of natural products for medicine has a long history of success, this project focuses on a less explored class of bacterial compounds (terpenoids), making its specific approach novel.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rudolf, Jeffrey Daniel — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Rudolf, Jeffrey Daniel
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.