How Acinetobacter baumannii uses phenylacetic acid to survive stress
Phenylacetic acid catabolism, a novel stress-response pathway in Acinetobacter baumannii
This project explains how the hospital superbug Acinetobacter baumannii uses a chemical called phenylacetic acid to survive stress and antibiotic exposure, potentially helping people with these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309654 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers grow A. baumannii in the laboratory and expose the bacteria to antibiotics and other stresses while measuring changes in gene activity, focusing on the paa operon that breaks down phenylacetic acid (PAA). They manipulate PAA levels and monitor effects on bacterial behaviors important for infection, such as pili production and biofilm formation. The team uses molecular biology tools to track how turning the paa pathway up or down changes tolerance to different antibiotics. These findings are intended to reveal bacterial survival tricks that could be targeted to improve treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with current or recurrent multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections, especially hospital-acquired or device-associated cases, are the most relevant group for potential future therapies stemming from this work.
Not a fit: Patients without Acinetobacter infections or those with infections caused by unrelated bacteria are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new ways to weaken A. baumannii and make existing antibiotics work better for patients with these infections.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows bacterial metabolism can influence antibiotic tolerance, but targeting phenylacetic acid catabolism in A. baumannii is a relatively new and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feldman, Mario — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Feldman, Mario
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.