Next-generation aminoglycoside antibiotics for drug-resistant infections
Shaping Next Generation Aminoglycoside Antibiotics for Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Diseases
Researchers are creating gentler, more powerful versions of aminoglycoside antibiotics to help people with hard-to-treat, multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143018 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will design and synthesize modified versions of paromomycin and apramycin and then test them in the lab for how well they kill bacteria and how much they might harm human-like cells. Compounds will be screened against normal and antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and checked for activity on bacterial versus eukaryotic ribosomes to guide safer design. Promising candidates will be tested for hearing damage in mouse cochlear explants and guinea pig models, and for kidney toxicity in cell lines and in mice. Results will be used in iterative rounds of design to try to find antibiotics that retain activity against resistant germs but cause less hearing and kidney harm.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have serious gram-negative or gram-positive infections that are resistant to standard antibiotics and who might otherwise need an aminoglycoside could be the main beneficiaries.
Not a fit: People without bacterial infections, those with infections easily treated by other antibiotics, and those not at risk from aminoglycoside toxicity are unlikely to benefit directly from this project right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new antibiotics that work against multidrug-resistant bacteria while lowering the risk of hearing loss and kidney damage.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and animal studies of modified aminoglycosides have shown promise for keeping antibacterial activity while reducing toxicity, but clinical use of these newer molecules is still limited.
Where this research is happening
Athens, United States
- University of Georgia — Athens, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crich, David — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Crich, David
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.