Mysterious sibling-inhibiting molecule from E. coli and its potential new antibiotics
Official title: Molecular mechanisms mediating a novel Escherichia coli sibling inhibition, a specific form of intra-species inhibition
Funded at Herbert H. Lehman College · NIH-11425029 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team is studying a tiny molecule produced by E. coli that can block the growth of many bacteria, including tough pathogens, with the goal of discovering new antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Herbert H. Lehman College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $142,237 |
| NIH project number | 1R16AI203188-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11425029 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are researchers and clinicians interested in antibiotic discovery and translational steps toward clinical development.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment changes should not expect direct benefits from this early basic science project.
What this research studies
Researchers are investigating how genetically identical E. coli cells sometimes inhibit each other and release a heat-stable, small molecule that kills bacteria. They will purify this sibling inhibitor from bacterial cultures and characterize its chemical properties and antibacterial activity. The work includes testing the compound against a range of bacteria to understand its potential as a new antibiotic and determine how it works to lyse bacterial cells. This project aims to move from discovery to initial understanding of a novel antibacterial mechanism that could help address drug resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new class of antibacterial agents to treat infections caused by resistant bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Similar early-stage antibiotic discovery efforts have sometimes led to new drug candidates, though this exact mechanism is untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Herbert H. Lehman College
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Hai-Ping — Herbert H. Lehman College
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Hai-Ping
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
AI-powered design of brighter, safer NIR-II fluorescent materials for imaging
A tiny grant is funding AI-driven methods to design brighter, more stable NIR-II fluorophores for medical imaging and surgical guidance.
-
A backup protein-making switch in aggressive triple-negative breast cancer
This project looks at whether a backup way cancer cells make proteins helps triple-negative breast cancer cells survive stress and spread.
-
Water-aware computer drug design for COVID-19 and opioid-related pain
This project uses computer models of water around key proteins to speed the discovery of new drug starting points for COVID-19 and mu-opioid receptor–related pain.
-
Understanding how cells sense nutrients like sulfur, important for health
This project explores how living cells, including human cells, detect and respond to essential nutrients like sulfur, using plants as a model.
-
Investigating how a different method of protein production affects advanced breast cancer metabolism
This study is looking at how advanced Triple Negative Breast Cancer changes the way it uses energy to survive tough conditions, like low oxygen or lack of nutrients, and hopes to find new ways to help patients by understanding how their cancer works better.
-
Finding pain-relieving compounds in Aconitum plants
This study is looking for new, safer pain relief options from Aconitum plants, which have been used in traditional medicine, to help people manage pain without the side effects of opioids.
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.