Stopping Staph from resisting penicillin-type antibiotics
Beta-Lactam Resistance Mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus
Testing ways to block Staphylococcus aureus from ignoring common penicillin-like antibiotics so infections can be treated with standard drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248805 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies how Staphylococcus aureus senses beta-lactam antibiotics and turns on genes that cause resistance. Researchers use a fluorescent tool in live bacteria to find compounds that prevent the bacterial sensor BlaR from detecting these antibiotics, which could keep the resistance switch off. They will also purify and study the membrane-anchored BlaZ enzyme to map its modifications and identify new targets for drugs. These lab steps form a discovery pathway to find molecules that might restore the activity of common beta-lactam antibiotics against resistant Staph.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with infections caused by beta-lactam–resistant Staphylococcus aureus (for example MRSA) would be the most relevant beneficiaries and potential candidates for future related trials.
Not a fit: Patients with infections caused by other organisms, viral illnesses, or those needing immediate emergency care are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could restore the effectiveness of common beta-lactam antibiotics against resistant Staphylococcus aureus, making infections easier and less costly to treat.
How similar studies have performed: Some laboratory studies have successfully targeted bacterial resistance mechanisms, but this specific strategy of blocking the BlaR sensor and targeting membrane-anchored BlaZ is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Notre Dame, United States
- University of Notre Dame — Notre Dame, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mobashery, Shahriar — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Mobashery, Shahriar
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.