How certain bacteria help fungi survive antifungal medicines
Bacterial partners as a mode of fungal resistance to antimicrobial compounds
This project explores whether some bacteria shield fungi from antifungal drugs, which could matter for people with fungal infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332872 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are studying how microbial communities let fungi persist even when antifungal compounds are present. In lab experiments they will grow fungi together with bacterial partners and expose them to natural and clinical antifungal agents to see whether and how the bacteria protect the fungi. The team will use cell-based and animal models and molecular tests to track whether bacteria act as "toxin sponges" or otherwise neutralize drugs. The goal is to explain why some fungal infections resist treatment and point to strategies to prevent bacterial protection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most relevant to future patient-focused work would be those with recurrent or treatment-resistant fungal infections or individuals willing to donate clinical fungal or microbiome samples.
Not a fit: Patients without fungal infections or those whose conditions are unrelated to fungal-bacterial interactions are unlikely to see direct benefits in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal reasons for treatment failure and suggest new ways to prevent or reverse bacterial protection of fungi, improving antifungal therapy.
How similar studies have performed: This builds on recent lab discoveries that bacteria can protect fungi from antifungal compounds, but clinical translation of these findings is still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Athens, United States
- University of Georgia — Athens, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dahlstrom, Kurt M. — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Dahlstrom, Kurt 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.