Understanding how bacteria build their protective layers
Official title: Manipulating undecaprenyl phosphate levels to decipher mechanisms of competing cell envelope assembly pathways in Escherichia coli
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11097195 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a certain type of bacteria, called E. coli, builds and keeps its protective outer layer, and it’s for anyone interested in finding new ways to fight bacterial infections with better antibiotics and vaccines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | June 10, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $376,625 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM154672-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11097195 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by non-bacterial pathogens, such as viruses or fungi, may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which the cell envelope of Escherichia coli, a type of bacteria, is assembled and maintained. By manipulating levels of a specific lipid carrier called undecaprenyl phosphate, the researchers aim to uncover how this lipid affects the growth and survival of bacteria. The study will explore how increasing or decreasing undecaprenyl phosphate levels influences bacterial processes and how different pathways compete for this essential lipid. This knowledge could lead to new strategies for developing antibiotics and vaccines against bacterial infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antibacterial treatments that are more effective against resistant strains of bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in manipulating bacterial pathways to develop new antibiotics, indicating that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jorgenson, Matthew — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Jorgenson, Matthew
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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.