Improving antibiotics for treating difficult mycobacterial infections
Official title: Optimization of Atypical Antimycobacterial Carbapenem Antibiotics
Funded at Southern Methodist University · NIH-10890839 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new antibiotics to help fight tough infections like tuberculosis, aiming to make treatments more effective for people who struggle with these stubborn bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Southern Methodist University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $698,616 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI174599-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890839 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with mycobacterial infections, such as tuberculosis or nontuberculous mycobacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria other than mycobacteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new carbapenem antibiotics specifically designed to combat mycobacterial infections, including tuberculosis and other nontuberculous mycobacteria. The approach involves creating antibiotics with unique structural modifications to enhance their effectiveness against these challenging bacteria, which often resist traditional treatments. By understanding the mechanisms of resistance and targeting specific bacterial processes, the research aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from these infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective antibiotic treatments for patients with severe mycobacterial infections, potentially reducing treatment duration and improving recovery rates.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of modifying carbapenem antibiotics is innovative, previous research has shown promise in enhancing antibiotic effectiveness against resistant bacteria, suggesting potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buynak, John D — Southern Methodist University
- Study coordinator: Buynak, John D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Protecting Cells Without Water: How Some Organisms Survive Desiccation
Researchers are studying how certain animals survive extreme dryness to learn ways to keep medicines and cells stable without refrigeration.
-
How p53 helps protect against cancer by controlling genetic elements in fruit flies
This grant explores how the tumor-suppressor protein p53 works to keep cells from turning cancerous, using fruit flies and other models to learn how p53 controls mobile genetic elements called retrotransposons and how this might relate to human cancer.
-
Multimodal label-free nanosensor for single virus characterization
A new sensor is being developed to detect and analyze individual AAV virus particles to ensure accurate cargo content before they are used in therapies.
-
Optimizing unusual carbapenem antibiotics to fight mycobacterial infections
Researchers are designing and testing new carbapenem antibiotics to better fight tough mycobacterial infections like TB and non-tuberculous mycobacteria.
-
AI-powered exploration of protein dynamics and chemical kinetics
A computer-based research project will use advanced AI and physics-based simulations to study how proteins move and catalyze reactions, with a focus on enabling discoveries that could help fight viral infections and other diseases.
-
Understanding how cellular quality control networks keep our cells healthy
This NIH grant explores how the body's cellular quality control systems work together to prevent disease at the molecular level.
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.