Helping antibiotics get inside hard-to-treat Gram-negative bacteria like Acinetobacter
Permeability barriers of Gram-negative pathogens and approaches to bypass them
This project looks for ways to help antibiotics reach and kill tough Gram-negative bacteria that cause infections in people, such as Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norman, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310196 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I had an infection with a Gram-negative bug, this work studies how those bacteria block antibiotics and how to get drugs past those defenses. The team examines bacterial membranes and efflux pumps and tests how changes affect drug uptake and effectiveness in lab-grown Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and related species. They combine chemical and biological experiments to link drug structures with how well they enter or are pumped out of bacteria. The goal is to guide design of antibiotics or strategies that can overcome these permeability barriers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or related pathogens are the most likely to benefit in the future.
Not a fit: People with infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, viruses, or fungi would not be helped by findings specific to Gram-negative permeability.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to antibiotics or strategies that work against resistant Gram-negative infections that are currently hard to treat.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have identified efflux pumps and membrane features as barriers and shown promising lab-level approaches, but turning those findings into new, effective antibiotics for patients has remained difficult.
Where this research is happening
Norman, United States
- University of Oklahoma — Norman, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zgurskaya, Helen I — University of Oklahoma
- Study coordinator: Zgurskaya, Helen I
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.