How Acinetobacter baumannii repairs its outer shell to survive antibiotics
Mechanistic basis of how LD-transpeptidases protect against outer membranedefects
This project looks at how the hospital bug Acinetobacter baumannii changes its outer shell using enzymes to survive last-resort antibiotics, which matters for people with drug-resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285267 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, scientists are studying bacterial enzymes called LD-transpeptidases that help A. baumannii survive when its outer membrane is damaged. In the lab they will use genetic and biochemical experiments to see how these enzymes change the cell envelope and compensate for outer membrane defects. They will also study how lipoprotein partners like LdtK are regulated so the bacteria can resist drugs such as colistin. The goal is to learn mechanisms that could point to new ways to weaken resistant bacteria and restore antibiotic effectiveness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with or at high risk for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections (for example hospitalized patients with bloodstream, wound, or urinary tract infections) would be the patients most likely to benefit from downstream advances.
Not a fit: Patients with infections caused by unrelated pathogens or non-infectious conditions are unlikely to see direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to stop or reverse antibiotic resistance in A. baumannii and broaden treatment options for hospital-acquired infections.
How similar studies have performed: Approaches that target cell-wall enzymes have led to antibiotic advances in other bacteria, but applying this strategy specifically to A. baumannii LD-transpeptidases is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Richardson, United States
- University of Texas Dallas — Richardson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boll, Joseph Michael — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Boll, Joseph Michael
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.