Novel peptide antibiotics against hard-to-treat Gram-negative infections
Official title: Developing a novel class of peptide antibiotics targeting carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms
Funded at Florida International University · NIH-11406308 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new computationally engineered peptide antibiotic (A4X) is being developed to treat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including Acinetobacter baumannii, with the goal of offering a safer, effective option.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida International University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $870,109 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176537-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406308 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with airway infections caused by MDR Gram-negative bacteria, such as Acinetobacter baumannii, who may benefit from novel peptide antibiotics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-MDR infections or infections outside the target organisms may not benefit from this specific antimicrobial.
What this research studies
This project aims to create and test a new class of antimicrobial peptides derived from a human defense protein motif to fight multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Researchers will optimize the peptides to be broad-spectrum and safe for patients, and they will evaluate antibacterial activity and safety in preclinical models. The work builds on data from many clinical isolates to show potential for real-world use in airway infections caused by resistant pathogens.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with MDR Gram-negative infections could have a new treatment option that works faster and with fewer side effects than current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies show the lead peptide has strong activity against resistant strains and lower resistance development compared with standard antibiotics.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida International University
Miami, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Di, Yuanpu Peter — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: Di, Yuanpu Peter
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.