New treatment using engineered nanoparticles to fight severe pneumonia caused by drug-resistant bacteria
Official title: Biomimetic Macrophage Membrane-Coated Nanosponges: A Novel Therapeutic for Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii Hospital-Associated Pneumonia
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10876454 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new treatment for serious pneumonia caused by tough bacteria, using tiny particles that act like our body's immune cells to help fight the infection and protect the lungs, especially for patients who are very sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,009,268 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176554-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876454 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are critically ill patients diagnosed with severe pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Acinetobacter baumannii.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with pneumonia caused by bacteria that are not multidrug-resistant or those with mild pneumonia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel therapeutic approach to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial pneumonia, specifically targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. The approach utilizes biomimetic nanoparticles coated with human macrophage membranes, which are designed to enhance the immune response while reducing harmful inflammation in the lungs. By mimicking the body's natural immune cells, these nanoparticles aim to improve the clearance of bacterial infections and mitigate lung damage in critically ill patients. The study will involve testing the effectiveness of these nanoparticles in preclinical models to assess their potential as a treatment option for severe pneumonia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a groundbreaking treatment option for patients suffering from severe pneumonia caused by drug-resistant bacteria, potentially reducing mortality rates.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of biomimetic nanoparticles is a novel approach, similar strategies have shown promise in other areas of infectious disease treatment, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nizet, Victor — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Nizet, Victor
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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.