Understanding how a unique antibiotic is made by bacteria
Mechanisms of unusual enzymes in the biosynthesis of a copper-containing antibiotic
This study is looking at how a special antibiotic made by bacteria works, with the goal of finding new ways to create better antibiotics that can help patients fight infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179019 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the biosynthesis of fluopsin C, a copper-containing antibiotic produced by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By examining the unique enzymes involved in its production, the research aims to uncover novel catalytic mechanisms that could lead to the development of new antibiotics. The approach combines enzyme kinetics, structural biology, spectroscopy, and synthetic chemistry to explore how these enzymes function and how they can be engineered for better drug synthesis. Patients may benefit from advancements in antibiotic development that arise from this work.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Not a fit: Patients with infections that are not caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the creation of new antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant infections.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in identifying novel enzymes for antibiotic production, suggesting that this approach has potential for meaningful advancements.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Bo — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Li, Bo
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.