Investigating how microcin proteins can fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Official title: From microcin sequence to function: linking sequence variation to antimicrobial activity
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11074979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to create antibiotics that can fight tough bacteria that don't respond to regular treatments, using special proteins that can get through the bacteria's defenses, so that patients can have better options for their infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | June 24, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $726,176 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AI179799-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11074979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria or those not affected by antibiotic resistance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, which are difficult to treat due to their protective outer membrane. The project explores microcins, small antibacterial proteins that can penetrate this membrane by hijacking active transport systems. By studying the sequence variations of these proteins, the research aims to identify their mechanisms of action and enhance their effectiveness against resistant pathogens. Patients may benefit from new antibiotic treatments derived from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of novel antibiotics that effectively treat infections caused by resistant bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar approaches to develop antibiotics, but the specific focus on microcins represents a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davies, Bryan William — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Davies, Bryan William
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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.