Investigating the harmful effects of incomplete proteins in bacteria
Official title: Cytotoxicity and function of incomplete proteins
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-10769845 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain faulty proteins can harm bacteria and how these tiny organisms deal with them, which could help us understand more about bacterial behavior and antibiotic resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $123,971 |
| NIH project number | 5K99GM148718-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10769845 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with bacterial infections, particularly those caused by antibiotic-resistant strains.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with viral infections or those not affected by bacterial pathogens may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how incomplete proteins, which arise from errors in gene expression, can be toxic to cells. It focuses on understanding the mechanisms that cells use to manage these incomplete proteins, particularly in bacteria like B. subtilis and E. coli. By employing innovative methods to measure bacterial growth inhibition caused by various protein fragments, the research aims to systematically assess the cytotoxicity of these incomplete proteins. This could lead to new insights into bacterial behavior and antibiotic resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for developing antibiotics and understanding bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding protein synthesis and degradation mechanisms can lead to breakthroughs in antibiotic development, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Savinov, Andrew — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Savinov, Andrew
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.