Understanding how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics through their metabolism
Official title: Systems biology approach to elucidate complex metabolic dependencies in the evolution of antibiotic resistance
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11089311 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain harmful bacteria, like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, manage to resist antibiotics by understanding their metabolism, which could help find new ways to fight infections that are hard to treat.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $310,167 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM147257-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11089311 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus, particularly those with antibiotic-resistant strains.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria that are not Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the metabolism of two harmful bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, contributes to their ability to resist antibiotics. By using a systems biology approach, the researchers will create detailed models of the metabolic networks in these bacteria and validate their predictions through experiments. This work aims to uncover the specific metabolic pathways that enable these pathogens to evolve resistance, which could lead to new strategies for combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that prevent or reduce antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding metabolic pathways in bacteria, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights into antibiotic resistance.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Papin, Jason — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Papin, Jason
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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.