Structure-based approach to prevent kidney injury from polymyxin use
Official title: Structure-guided approaches to prevent polymyxin-induced acute kidney injury
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11440389 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to block how polymyxin damages the kidney so it can be used more safely to treat hard-to-kill infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $123,375 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DK149104-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11440389 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with severe, drug-resistant bacterial infections who would otherwise require polymyxin therapy and be at risk for kidney injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require polymyxin or do not have risk factors for AKI may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the antibiotic polymyxin B interacts with a kidney protein called megalin (LRP2) that helps take up the drug into kidney cells. By studying the precise structure of this interaction and testing inhibitors in computer models, the researchers hope to separate the drug’s ability to fight bacteria from its tendency to injure the kidneys. If successful, this could lead to safer dosing or companion therapies for patients who need polymyxin for severe infections. The work uses advanced imaging and mass-spec techniques to map binding sites and identify potential blocking compounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could make polymyxin safer for patients with serious infections by reducing or preventing kidney injury.
How similar studies have gone: Similar structural studies have informed safer drug design in other antibiotic- toxicity contexts, providing a solid foundation for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beenken, Andrew S — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Beenken, Andrew S
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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.