Targeted prodrugs for antibiotic‑resistant Staph infections
Structure-based microbially targeted prodrugs
Researchers are creating prodrugs that get inside Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and release antibiotics to help people with drug‑resistant Staph infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11175495 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is designing bipartite prodrug molecules that are activated inside S. aureus to release an antibiotic 'warhead.' They will test two chemically different inhibitor classes in lab dishes and animal models to see how prodrugging changes activity and drug-like properties. Bacterial enzymes that activate the prodrugs will be characterized and crystallography will show how the enzymes recognize the compounds. Results will guide preclinical optimization aimed at new therapies for MRSA infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with active or recurrent methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections would be the most relevant future candidates for trials stemming from this research.
Not a fit: Patients without bacterial infections or those with infections caused by non‑Staphylococcus pathogens are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could produce new antibiotics that better enter and kill drug‑resistant Staph, improving treatment options for MRSA infections.
How similar studies have performed: Prodrug and enzyme‑activated antibiotic concepts have shown promise in preclinical work, but this structure‑guided, bacteria‑selective prodrug strategy is relatively novel and at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Odom John, Audrey Ragan — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Odom John, Audrey Ragan
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.