Investigating how bacterial growth affects antibiotic effectiveness
Official title: Does growth efficiency determine the inoculum effect?
Funded at Nova Southeastern University · NIH-10359939 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the number of certain bacteria, like Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli, affects how well antibiotics work against them, with the goal of finding better ways to treat infections caused by these germs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nova Southeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Lauderdale-Davie, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | December 17, 2021 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $462,459 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AI159902-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10359939 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly those involving Klebsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by non-resistant bacteria or those who do not respond to antibiotic treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how the density of bacterial populations, specifically Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, influences their resistance to antibiotics. By examining the inoculum effect, where higher bacterial densities require more antibiotics to be effectively treated, the study aims to understand the relationship between bacterial growth rates and antibiotic efficacy. The researchers will utilize computer simulations to model these interactions and identify potential strategies to enhance the effectiveness of existing antibiotics. This could lead to improved treatment protocols for bacterial infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment strategies for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the inoculum effect and its implications for antibiotic treatment, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in managing bacterial infections.
Where this research is happening
-
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale-Davie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Robert P — Nova Southeastern University
- Study coordinator: Smith, Robert P
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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.