How some bacteria change their ribosomes to resist many antibiotics
Radical SAM-dependent methylation in antibiotic resistance
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11309646
Researchers are uncovering how a bacterial enzyme alters the ribosome so some infections stop responding to common antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11309646 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my perspective, scientists at UCSF are studying a bacterial enzyme called Cfr that chemically modifies the ribosome and makes many antibiotics less effective. They will compare many Cfr family genes, use biochemical tests and structural methods to see exactly how the enzyme works, and study bacterial samples related to human infections. The team plans to map differences across hundreds of enzyme sequences and test how those differences change resistance to different antibiotic drugs. This lab-focused work aims to reveal clear targets for future tests or drugs to overcome resistance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria (for example MRSA or resistant E. coli) might be the ones to provide samples or benefit from downstream tests or treatments.
Not a fit: People without bacterial infections or whose infections are resistant for reasons unrelated to ribosomal methylation are unlikely to get direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better tests to detect resistant bacteria and point to new ways to restore antibiotic effectiveness.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have identified and begun to characterize Cfr-type enzymes and shown they cause broad resistance, but many family members remain uncharacterized so this work expands on earlier findings.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: FUJIMORI, DANICA GALONIC — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: FUJIMORI, DANICA GALONIC
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.
Conditions: Bacterial Infections