Single-cell analysis of antibiotic-tolerant subpopulations in Acinetobacter baumannii
Official title: Single-cell analysis of antibiotic persister subpopulations generated by Acinetobacter baumannii
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11455038 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying tiny subgroups of the hospital bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii to understand why some cells survive antibiotics and how resistance develops, with potential to improve treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $483,975 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI196582-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11455038 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients at risk for Acinetobacter baumannii infections and healthcare settings where antibiotic-resistant infections are a concern.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not facing Acinetobacter baumannii infection or antibiotic resistance issues may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how individual bacterial cells in Acinetobacter baumannii respond to common antibiotics. Using single-cell analysis, it aims to identify the states and genetic factors that allow a few cells to tolerate drugs and later give rise to resistant strains. The findings could reveal new targets to prevent persistence and resistance during antibiotic therapy. The work is done in a hospital-related bacterial context, with results that could inform safer treatment strategies for patients at risk of infection. The grant supports a focused, short-term investigation that could lay the groundwork for future therapeutic approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to better antibiotics or combination strategies that prevent persistence and resistance, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that persistent subpopulations contribute to resistance in bacteria, but single-cell links to drug tolerance in Acinetobacter baumannii are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Isberg, Ralph R. — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Isberg, Ralph R.
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.