Understanding how ArmA changes make bacteria resistant to common antibiotics
Official title: Structural basis of ArmA-mediated resistance to antibiotics targeting the bacterial ribosome
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11437690 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short, patient-friendly look at how a specific bacterial resistance mechanism works and why it matters for antibiotic effectiveness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $236,407 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI201903-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11437690 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This basic research does not require patient participation; it focuses on bacterial mechanisms and drug interactions.
✕Less likely to help
There is no direct patient participation in this basic science grant.
What this research studies
This project investigates how ArmA methyltransferases give certain bacteria high-level resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics by modifying the bacterial ribosome. Researchers will study the structural details of ArmA-mediated resistance to understand why drugs like gentamicin and tobramycin stop working, and how the ribosome’s decoding center is altered. The goal is to reveal vulnerabilities that could guide the design of new antibiotics or combination therapies to overcome resistance. The research is based on laboratory analyses of bacterial components and chemical interactions to illuminate the mechanism behind resistance. If successful, these insights could inform future treatments for infections caused by ArmA-bearing bacteria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of antibiotic resistance could lead to new strategies to treat resistant infections.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown ArmA-mediated resistance is a major mechanism; this study extends structural understanding beyond current models.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Polikanov, Yury — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Polikanov, Yury
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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.