How some bacteria build pumps that push out antibiotics
Molecular Assembly of Bacterial Tripartite Multidrug Efflux Pumps
Scientists are decoding how certain bacteria assemble molecular pumps that expel antibiotics so treatments can work better for people with resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11331274 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies the AcrAB-TolC pump used by many gram-negative bacteria, including drug-resistant E. coli, to remove antibiotics from the cell. Researchers will use bacterial samples from clinical isolates together with genetic, biochemical, and structural imaging techniques plus computer modeling to map how the pump is built and activated. They will test how antibiotics and molecules that block pumps change pump assembly and function. Understanding the role of the cell wall and membrane environment may point to ways to block the pump and restore antibiotic effectiveness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (for example, resistant E. coli) would be the main beneficiaries of any future therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: Patients with infections not caused by gram-negative bacteria or those needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new drugs or drug combinations that block bacterial pumps and make existing antibiotics more effective.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory work has revealed pump structures and identified some inhibitor candidates, but no pump-blocking drugs have yet become standard clinical treatments.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Zhao — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wang, Zhao
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.