How Gram-negative bacteria's outer shell helps them resist antibiotics
The interplay between cell envelope protein homeostasis and antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria
This work looks at whether the protein-folding machinery in Gram-negative bacteria like Acinetobacter helps them survive antibiotics, which could matter for people with drug-resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228386 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The researchers will study bacteria grown in the lab and strains taken from real infections to learn how proteins in the cell envelope fold and work. They will use bacterial genetics to change key genes, biochemical tests to probe protein activity, and proteomics to measure which proteins depend on the folding system. The team will examine well-known resistance mechanisms such as β-lactamases, colistin resistance enzymes, and efflux pumps to see if they need the envelope folding machinery to function. Findings come from a mix of model strains and clinical isolates handled in lab facilities at the university.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People affected by infections with drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (for example, multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter) are the population most likely to benefit from the long-term outcomes of this work.
Not a fit: Patients with infections caused by non–Gram-negative organisms or whose care needs immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new ways to disable resistance proteins and help restore the effectiveness of existing antibiotics.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary lab work and experiments on clinical isolates suggest this folding pathway is important for some resistance proteins, but targeting envelope proteostasis is a relatively new approach to overcoming resistance.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mavridou, Despoina — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Mavridou, Despoina
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.