Investigating how cystic fibrosis affects the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Official title: The Impact of the Cystic Fibrosis infection environment on biofilm development of nontuberculous mycobacteria
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11031351 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the special conditions in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis affect the growth of tough bacteria that don’t respond well to antibiotics, helping us understand how to better fight these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | March 3, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $399,187 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI170607-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031351 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cystic fibrosis who are experiencing respiratory infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cystic fibrosis or those not infected with nontuberculous mycobacteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the unique environment created by cystic fibrosis (CF) affects the growth and biofilm formation of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), which are known to be resistant to antibiotics. By examining the chemical and spatial conditions in the sputum of CF patients, the researchers aim to uncover how these factors contribute to the bacteria's ability to survive and resist treatment. The study will utilize advanced techniques to visualize and analyze bacterial behavior in real-time, providing insights into how these pathogens thrive in the lungs of individuals with CF.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment strategies that more effectively target antibiotic-resistant infections in cystic fibrosis patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is innovative, previous studies have shown that understanding the biofilm formation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria can lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Depas, William H. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Depas, William H.
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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.