How some bacteria change their outer coat to resist last-resort antibiotics
Structure and mechanism of membrane enzymes responsible for bacterial lipid modification and polymyxin resistance
Researchers are looking at bacterial enzymes that alter the outer membrane and make some Gram-negative infections resistant to polymyxin antibiotics, with the goal of guiding new treatments for people with drug‑resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11328840 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project examines enzymes in Gram‑negative bacteria that chemically modify Lipid A, a key part of the bacterial outer membrane. In the lab, scientists will isolate these membrane enzymes and use biochemical assays and high‑resolution structural imaging to see exactly how they work. The team will focus on the aminoarabinose pathway that 'caps' Lipid A and blocks polymyxin binding. By revealing the molecular steps, the work aims to identify weak points that new drugs or treatment combinations could target.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work does not enroll patients, but it is most relevant to people who have or are at risk for multidrug‑resistant Gram‑negative bacterial infections, including those resistant to polymyxins.
Not a fit: People with non‑bacterial conditions or infections caused by Gram‑positive bacteria would not directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help design drugs or adjuvants that restore or improve the effectiveness of polymyxin antibiotics against resistant Gram‑negative infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous biochemical and structural studies have clarified some resistance mechanisms, but targeting the Lipid A aminoarabinose pathway to reverse polymyxin resistance remains largely preclinical and early stage.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Petrou, Vasileios I — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Petrou, Vasileios I
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.