How mouth and throat bacteria produce natural antibiotic compounds
Official title: Characterizing Pathogen-Mediated Production of Secondary Metabolites in the Human Aerodigestive Tract Microbiome
Funded at Oklahoma State University Stillwater · NIH-11335597 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers aim to find natural antibacterial compounds made by mouth and throat bacteria that could help protect people from infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma State University Stillwater NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stillwater, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $237,503 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM152333-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11335597 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This is a laboratory-focused project that does not enroll patients, so there are no direct patient eligibility criteria for participation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate new treatments are unlikely to benefit during this basic research phase because the work is discovery and lab-based.
What this research studies
This project grows and studies bacteria that normally live in the mouth and throat together with invading pathogens to see how their chemical production changes. The team will isolate and identify small molecules that commensal bacteria produce when exposed to pathogens. Lab tests will check whether those molecules kill or slow the growth of harmful bacteria. Successful molecules could be further developed into medicines that harm pathogens but spare the rest of the microbiome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new narrow-spectrum antibiotics that treat infections while preserving the beneficial microbiome and reducing resistance risks.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior research has identified microbiome-derived antimicrobial compounds, but turning those discoveries into safe, effective therapies for people remains challenging.
Where this research is happening
-
Oklahoma State University Stillwater
Stillwater, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stubbendieck, Reed M — Oklahoma State University Stillwater
- Study coordinator: Stubbendieck, Reed 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.