NIH-funded research R21 grant

Finding ways to prevent antibiotic resistance in bacteria

Official title: Development of Antibiotic Adjuvants to Avert Resistance Conferred by Cfr, a Radical S-Adenosylmethionine Methylase

Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11001528 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking for new ways to make antibiotics work better against tough infections caused by resistant bacteria, especially to help vulnerable groups like newborns.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPennsylvania State University, the
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (University Park, United States)
Project startDecember 15, 2023
Project endOctober 31, 2025
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$238,275
NIH project number5R21AI180902-02
Project IDNIH-11001528 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, especially newborns and other high-risk groups.

Less likely to help

Patients with infections caused by bacteria that are not resistant to current antibiotics may not receive direct benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing new antibiotic adjuvants that can help combat the growing problem of antibiotic resistance caused by a specific enzyme called Cfr. By understanding how this enzyme modifies bacterial RNA, the research aims to create strategies that can enhance the effectiveness of existing antibiotics. Patients may benefit from this work as it seeks to improve treatment options for infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly in vulnerable populations like newborns. The approach involves laboratory experiments to test the effectiveness of these adjuvants in overcoming resistance mechanisms.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that restore the effectiveness of antibiotics against resistant bacterial infections.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing adjuvants to combat antibiotic resistance, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • Pennsylvania State University, the
    University Park, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Booker, Squire J. — Pennsylvania State University, the
  • Study coordinator: Booker, Squire J.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.