Synthesis of thioaminoketal antimicrobial peptides and how they work
Official title: Synthesis of Thioaminoketal Antimicrobial Peptides and their Mechanism of Action
Funded at Brandeis University · NIH-11424920 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are developing new antimicrobial peptides called sactipeptides and figuring out precisely how they kill bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brandeis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waltham, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2026 |
| Project end | February 28, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $398,904 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM165488-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424920 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with bacterial infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant strains, could benefit from future therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
This specific grant does not involve direct patient participation or immediate treatment for individuals.
What this research studies
This project focuses on making cyclic antimicrobial peptides that include a rare thioaminoketal group and studying how they act against bacteria. The scientists have developed a chemical method to convert linear peptides into these sactipeptides, enabling access to a class of potential new antibiotics. They will prepare four classes of these compounds with varying complexity and test their ability to fight pathogens, including drug-resistant strains. The work aims to reveal the mechanism of action and improve the design of potent, broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new antibiotic candidates that combat resistant infections such as C. difficile.
How similar studies have gone: Previous chemical methods have enabled synthesis of sactipeptides, suggesting this approach could broaden the development of new antibiotics.
Where this research is happening
-
Brandeis University
Waltham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ting, Chi Pan — Brandeis University
- Study coordinator: Ting, Chi Pan
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.