Optimizing unusual carbapenem antibiotics to fight mycobacterial infections
Official title: Optimization of Atypical Antimycobacterial Carbapenem Antibiotics
Funded at Southern Methodist University · NIH-11382126 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are designing and testing new carbapenem antibiotics to better fight tough mycobacterial infections like TB and non-tuberculous mycobacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Southern Methodist University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $673,531 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI174599-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382126 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with active or latent mycobacterial infections, including TB and NTM, may benefit from future developments arising from these compounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not affected by mycobacterial infections or those whose infections are not responsive to this chemical class may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating carbapenem antibiotics with distinctive structural changes to overcome resistance and boost activity against mycobacteria. By synthesizing novel compounds and evaluating their bioavailability and effectiveness, the team aims to identify candidates with improved potency where current treatments often fail. The work combines chemical design with early biological testing to understand how these drugs interact with mycobacterial enzymes and cell walls. If successful, these compounds could lead to new options for patients who struggle with long, difficult treatment regimens.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could gain more effective, possibly shorter, treatment options against challenging mycobacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed that scaffold-modified carbapenems can improve activity against certain bacteria and resistance profiles, suggesting potential but with challenges to translate to mycobacteria.
Where this research is happening
-
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buynak, John D — Southern Methodist University
- Study coordinator: Buynak, John D
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.