Targeted antibacterial peptides to fight drug-resistant infections
Official title: Precision Design of Antimicrobial Peptides Against Bacterial Infections
Funded at Purdue University · NIH-11172549 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are designing new antimicrobial peptides to treat people with antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $302,928 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM143370-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11172549 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria or those who have run out of effective antibiotic options are the kinds of patients who might eventually benefit.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with viral illnesses, non-infectious conditions, or routine bacterial infections that respond to existing antibiotics would not be helped by these peptides.
What this research studies
Researchers are using artificial intelligence and computer models to generate many candidate antimicrobial peptides. They then synthesize the most promising peptides and test them in bacterial cultures and animal models to measure how well they kill specific resistant bacteria and whether they harm healthy cells. The team is aiming for narrow-spectrum peptides that target particular pathogens to reduce toxicity and slow the development of resistance. If candidates show safety and effectiveness in preclinical work, the best ones could move toward testing in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could produce new targeted treatments for infections that no longer respond to standard antibiotics.
How similar studies have gone: Antimicrobial peptides have shown promise in laboratory and animal studies, but few have reached approval because of toxicity and delivery challenges, so the approach is promising but still experimental.
Where this research is happening
-
Purdue University
West Lafayette, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Jianing — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Li, Jianing
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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.