Understanding how bacteria survive antibiotic treatment
Official title: Bacterial persistence and proton-motive force
Funded at Texas Engineering Experiment Station · NIH-10734787 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some bacteria can stick around and cause long-lasting infections even when antibiotics are used, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding why some bacteria are tougher than others when faced with treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Engineering Experiment Station NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | November 4, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $151,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI166636-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10734787 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 acute infections that respond well to standard antibiotic treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain bacteria can survive antibiotic stress, leading to chronic infections. It focuses on a phenomenon called bacterial persistence, where genetically similar bacteria behave differently under stress. The study aims to quantify variations in the proton-motive force within these bacteria and identify factors that contribute to their survival. By using advanced techniques like optical trapping and fluorescence, researchers hope to uncover the mechanisms behind this survival strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating chronic bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics.
How similar studies have gone: While the mechanisms of bacterial persistence are not fully understood, similar research has shown promise in identifying survival strategies in bacteria, making this approach both innovative and relevant.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Engineering Experiment Station
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lele, Pushkar Prakash — Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- Study coordinator: Lele, Pushkar Prakash
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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.