Tweaking gut viruses to target harmful gut bacteria
Official title: Engineering host-determinants of novel gut Microviruses
Funded at Oklahoma State University Stillwater · NIH-11335592 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are changing tiny gut viruses so they can target and control bacteria that cause infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma State University Stillwater NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stillwater, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $233,803 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM152333-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11335592 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with recurrent or antibiotic-resistant gut bacterial infections would be the most likely future candidates for therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without gut-related bacterial problems or those seeking immediate treatments are unlikely to see direct benefit from this basic lab-focused project.
What this research studies
The team studies tiny single-stranded viruses in the human gut called microviruses, which are common but not well understood. They will identify which gut bacteria these viruses naturally infect, redesign viral genomes to change which bacteria they can infect, and test whether engineered viruses can be reintroduced into complex microbial communities. Experiments will use synthesized virus genomes, lab-grown bacteria, and animal models to observe effects on bacterial populations. The work aims to create tools that could one day help prevent or treat bacterial infections by shifting the gut microbiome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that use engineered gut viruses to prevent or fight bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Phage therapy against bacteria has shown promise in case reports and some clinical trials, but engineering microviruses for targeted gut microbiome control is a newer and largely experimental approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oklahoma State University Stillwater
Stillwater, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kirchberger, Paul — Oklahoma State University Stillwater
- Study coordinator: Kirchberger, Paul
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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.