Finding New Medicines from Special Bacteria
Official title: Expansion and application of synthetic biology tools for natural products discovery from myxobacteria
Funded at University of Mississippi · NIH-11141744 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to discover new medicines, especially for fighting bacteria and viruses, by exploring unique compounds found in certain types of bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $289,424 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM149795-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141744 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Future patients suffering from bacterial or viral infections could potentially benefit from new treatments developed as a result of this foundational research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment options or direct clinical participation will not find this basic science project directly applicable to their current care.
What this research studies
Many important medicines come from natural sources, especially from bacteria. This project uses advanced genetic tools, called synthetic biology, to unlock the potential of a special group of bacteria called myxobacteria. Researchers want to expand the methods available to study these bacteria, which are known for producing unique compounds different from other bacteria. By developing new ways to grow and analyze these myxobacteria, scientists hope to uncover novel natural products that could become future drugs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the discovery of entirely new antibacterial and antiviral medications, offering new hope for treating difficult infections.
How similar studies have gone: Similar synthetic biology approaches have already been successful in discovering new active compounds from other types of bacteria, showing promise for this expanded effort.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Mississippi
University, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stevens, David Cole — University of Mississippi
- Study coordinator: Stevens, David Cole
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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.