New methods to measure drug levels inside cells to improve treatment for infections
Official title: Novel single-cell mass spectrometry methods to assess the role of intracellular drug concentration and metabolism in antimicrobial treatment failure
Funded at San Diego State University · NIH-10876329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how much medicine gets inside cells when treating infections like Chagas disease, to help figure out why some treatments don’t work well, and the goal is to find better ways to help patients feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Diego State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $348,186 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI177469-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients suffering from infections caused by intracellular pathogens, particularly those with treatment-resistant infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections that are not caused by intracellular pathogens or those who do not respond to antimicrobial treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how drug concentrations within cells affect the success of antimicrobial treatments, particularly for infections caused by intracellular pathogens like Trypanosoma cruzi. By utilizing novel single-cell mass spectrometry techniques, the researchers aim to quantify drug and metabolite levels inside infected cells, which is crucial for understanding why some treatments fail. The study addresses a significant gap in current knowledge by focusing on intracellular drug accumulation, which has been overlooked in traditional pharmacokinetic studies. Patients may benefit from improved treatment strategies based on the findings of this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective antimicrobial treatments and reduced treatment failures for patients with infectious diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While single-cell mass spectrometry has shown success in cancer drug development, its application in infectious disease treatment is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
San Diego State University
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mccall, Laura-Isobel — San Diego State University
- Study coordinator: Mccall, Laura-Isobel
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.