Understanding how bacteria evolve to resist antibiotics
Official title: Evolutionary Tradeoffs in Antibiotic Resistance
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11011835 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and why some survive better than others, with the hope that the findings will help create better treatments for infections that are hard to treat.
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 start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 8, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $483,990 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM156320-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011835 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections that are not caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics through genetic mutations and environmental factors. By examining the evolutionary tradeoffs that influence bacterial survival, the study aims to uncover why some resistant strains thrive while others do not. The approach includes laboratory experiments and computational analyses to model bacterial evolution under various conditions. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for combating antibiotic-resistant infections, improving treatment outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding bacterial evolution and antibiotic resistance, indicating that this approach is grounded in established scientific inquiry.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baym, Michael — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Baym, Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across Richer Countries
Aims to understand how end-of-life care for older adults with serious illnesses differs in the US compared with other high-income countries.
-
Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across Rich Countries
A study compares how end-of-life care is handled for older adults in the US and other high-income countries to identify what might improve care here.
-
Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults in Rich Countries
A large study from Harvard Medical School compares how older adults near the end of life are cared for in the US and other top-income countries to understand differences and improve care.
-
Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across Rich Countries
A study using international data to understand how end-of-life care for older adults with poor prognoses differs across five high‑income countries.
-
Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across Rich Countries
A research project compares how older adults with serious illnesses receive end-of-life care in the US and other high-income countries to find ways to improve care in the United States.
-
Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across Rich Countries
A project compares how older adults near the end of life are cared for in the U.S. and other high-income countries to identify ways to improve care and reduce wasteful spending.
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.