How body fats change Staphylococcus aureus antibiotic response
Impacts of host lipid composition on antimicrobial susceptibilities of Staphylococcus aureus
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA · NIH-11225117
This project is seeing how different fats in the human body change how Staphylococcus aureus responds to antibiotics for people with Staph infections.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ATHENS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11225117 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how the types of fats found in human tissues and blood influence Staphylococcus aureus survival and its sensitivity to antibiotics. In the lab they will grow bacteria with different host-derived fatty acids and measure changes in bacterial membranes and antibiotic response. The team will focus on the bacterial fatty acid kinase pathway and compare fatty acids typical of different organs to better reflect real infections. The work is mainly laboratory-based but may include analysis of human blood or tissue samples to connect lab findings to patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with current or recurrent Staphylococcus aureus infections (MRSA or MSSA) or volunteers willing to donate blood or tissue samples for research.
Not a fit: People without Staphylococcus aureus infection or those seeking immediate treatment should not expect direct therapeutic benefit from participating in this lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to make antibiotics work better or to prevent S. aureus infections by targeting how the bacteria use host fats.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies show S. aureus uses host fatty acids and that altering fatty acids can change antibiotic responses, but applying this to a wider range of saturated host fats and clinical samples is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
ATHENS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA — ATHENS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HINES, KELLY M. — UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
- Study coordinator: HINES, KELLY M.
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.