New ways to fight antibiotic-resistant infections
Plugging & Pulling-in: tuning peptides for ToIC to overcome anitbiotic resistance
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAWRENCE · NIH-11140358
This research aims to find new ways to make antibiotics work again by stopping bacteria from pumping them out.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAWRENCE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LAWRENCE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11140358 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Antibiotic-resistant infections are a growing problem, making many common antibiotics ineffective. Bacteria often develop resistance by using special pumps that push antibiotics out of their cells before they can do their job. This project explores designing small protein pieces, called peptides, that can either block these pumps or use them to deliver new drugs into bacteria. By understanding how these peptides interact with the pumps, we hope to restore the power of existing antibiotics and create entirely new treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients suffering from serious bacterial infections that are resistant to current antibiotics could eventually benefit from this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose infections are easily treated by existing antibiotics may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medications that make current antibiotics effective again against resistant bacteria, saving lives.
How similar studies have performed: This research explores a novel approach by focusing on specific protein interactions to block or hijack bacterial efflux pumps, building on recent structural discoveries.
Where this research is happening
LAWRENCE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAWRENCE — LAWRENCE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SLUSKY, JOANNA SG — UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAWRENCE
- Study coordinator: SLUSKY, JOANNA SG
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 below.