How gonorrhea bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics
Genomics approaches to elucidating pathways to antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Researchers are using bacterial genetic data to learn how Neisseria gonorrhoeae becomes resistant to key antibiotics so treatments work better for people with gonorrhea.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11092337 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze large datasets of gonorrhea genome sequences paired with antibiotic susceptibility tests to identify the genes and mutations linked to resistance. They will focus on current treatments like ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin as well as newer drugs in late-stage trials such as zoliflodacin and gepotidacin. Laboratory experiments will test how specific genetic networks allow bacteria to tolerate or compensate for resistance changes. The work aims to reveal how resistant strains emerge and spread to inform better diagnostics and treatment strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with confirmed gonorrhea who can provide diagnostic samples or clinical bacterial isolates would be ideal contributors to the related sample collections.
Not a fit: People without Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections or with unrelated health conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better tests and treatment choices that prevent or control antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea.
How similar studies have performed: Genomic tracking has helped identify and monitor antibiotic resistance in bacteria before, but applying these network-mapping approaches to newer drugs like zoliflodacin and gepotidacin is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grad, Yonatan H — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Grad, Yonatan H
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.