Targeting Gram-negative bacteria's outer membrane to overcome antibiotic resistance
Project 3: Defining and defeating the mechanisms of outer membrane biogenesis in Gram-negative bacteria
Researchers are finding ways to break the protective outer shell of Gram-negative bacteria so antibiotics can work better for people with infections like Acinetobacter baumannii.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11121819 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists use a lab model of bacteria to study how the outer membrane is built and how it keeps drugs out. They focus on the Bam machine that folds proteins into that outer layer and use tiny antibody fragments called nanobodies to lock the machine in different states. The team will test whether those nanobodies make bacteria more leaky or easier to kill and will solve detailed structures to show where drugs could bind. Results will guide the development of new antibiotics or helper drugs that let existing antibiotics reach resistant bacteria.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with infections caused by multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (for example, Acinetobacter baumannii) who are interested in future treatment options would be the eventual candidates for therapies derived from this work.
Not a fit: Patients with viral or fungal infections, or infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to new drugs or treatments that let antibiotics penetrate Gram-negative bacteria, restoring options for resistant infections like A. baumannii.
How similar studies have performed: Related laboratory studies have shown promising ways to disrupt Gram-negative outer membranes, but clinical success is not yet established and this approach remains at a preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bernhardt, Thomas G — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Bernhardt, Thomas G
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.