Understanding dormant bacteria to improve antibiotic treatments
Elucidating physiology of dormant bacteria to combat antibiotic persistence
This study is looking at how some bacteria can hide from antibiotics and survive, especially in sticky clusters called biofilms, to help find new ways to treat infections for people with conditions like cystic fibrosis and others who often deal with bacterial infections.
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-10925230 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how dormant bacteria survive antibiotic treatments, which is a significant challenge in treating infections. It focuses on understanding the conditions that lead to bacterial dormancy, particularly in biofilms, and aims to identify new antibiotic targets that can effectively kill these dormant bacteria. By analyzing the death rates of dormant bacteria and correlating them with genetic data, the research seeks to uncover vulnerabilities that could lead to better treatment strategies for recurrent infections. This work is particularly relevant for patients with conditions like cystic fibrosis and those suffering from common bacterial infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include patients with recurrent bacterial infections, such as those caused by E. coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, particularly individuals with cystic fibrosis.
Not a fit: Patients with infections caused by bacteria that do not exhibit dormancy or persistence may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for persistent bacterial infections, reducing recurrence and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in targeting dormant bacteria, but this specific approach to understanding their physiology is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Basan, Markus Thomas — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Basan, Markus Thomas
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.