Non-growing bacteria devices designed to deliver medicines safely
Dissecting the non-growing-but-active state of a hybrid bacteria-material microdevice
This work develops tiny hybrid devices made from engineered bacteria and materials that stay active without multiplying, aiming to make bacterial therapies safer for people who need targeted drug delivery or local gene editing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11376351 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is building tiny hybrid devices that combine engineered bacteria with synthetic materials so the bacteria keep metabolic activity but cannot grow or reproduce. In the lab they test whether these non-growing-but-active bacteria can still make therapeutic proteins, move toward chemical signals, and respond predictably. The goal is to create a reliable safety barrier that prevents replication and mutation while preserving therapeutic functions. If the approach works, it could allow more precise dosing of bacteria-based treatments and reduce the risk of uncontrolled spread in patients and the environment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who might eventually benefit include patients needing targeted drug delivery or local gene-based therapies, such as some cancers, gastrointestinal disorders, or chronic localized infections.
Not a fit: Patients with acute systemic infections, severe immunosuppression, or those needing immediate standard therapies are unlikely to benefit from this early-stage laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable safer, more controllable bacteria-based treatments that deliver drugs or gene editors directly at disease sites without the risk of uncontrolled infection.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown engineered bacteria can carry out drug delivery and gene editing in lab and animal models, but making bacteria that remain active while fully prevented from replicating is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tan, Cheemeng — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Tan, Cheemeng
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.