LiaFSR system and antimicrobial peptide resistance in enterococci
Official title: The LiaFSR system and antimicrobial peptide resistance in enterococci
Funded at Methodist Hospital Research Institute · NIH-11370818 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team is studying how vancomycin-resistant enterococci become resistant to powerful antibiotics, with the aim of stopping these stubborn infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | May 18, 2018 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $806,820 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AI134637-07A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370818 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with severe Enterococcus infections, including those with vancomycin resistance, who are at risk of treatment failure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without enterococcal infection or who respond well to current therapies may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on enterococci that resist vancomycin and other antimicrobial peptides. It builds on earlier findings that the LiaFSRX system and a protein called LiaX control how the bacterial cell envelope responds to antibiotics. The researchers plan to map how these components contribute to resistance and identify potential targets to overcome it. The work could inform future therapies to improve treatment for patients with these tough infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new strategies to prevent or overcome antibiotic resistance in enterococcal infections, potentially improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work established key resistance pathways (LiaFSR and LiaX); this project builds on that foundation with deeper mechanistic insight.
Where this research is happening
-
Methodist Hospital Research Institute
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arias, Cesar Augusto — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Arias, Cesar Augusto
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.