Targeting biofilm to boost antibiotics against Mycobacterium infections
Official title: Targeting biofilm formation as a mechanism to enhance antibiotic efficacy against Mycobacterium avium and M. abscessus
Funded at University of Notre Dame · NIH-11371311 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to find compounds that stop biofilm formation in Mycobacterium avium and M. abscessus to improve how well antibiotics work for people with lung diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $434,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI190342-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371311 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Mycobacterium avium or M. abscessus lung infections, especially those with cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, or other underlying lung diseases, could benefit in the long term.
✕Less likely to help
People without these specific lung infections or those not using antibiotics for these infections may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at why certain lung infections are hard to treat and tests compounds that may prevent biofilms from forming or help break them down. Researchers will screen existing and new 2-aminoimidazole compounds to see if they stop biofilms and if those compounds make antibiotics more effective in the lab. They will also test the most promising compounds in mouse infection models to see if they boost antibiotic performance in living systems. If successful, this work could lead to adjuvant therapies that shorten treatment and reduce relapse in patients with lung conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience more effective antibiotic therapy with fewer side effects and shorter treatment courses.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest anti-biofilm compounds can influence antibiotic efficacy, but clinical benefit in humans remains to be proven.
Where this research is happening
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University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schorey, Jeffrey Scott — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Schorey, Jeffrey Scott
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.