Understanding how certain enzymes help bacteria survive and cause infections
Official title: Defining the Structure and Function of a New Family of Peptidoglycan Crosslinking Enzymes
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11225499 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a germ called Clostridioides difficile, which can cause bad diarrhea, especially in hospitals, and aims to find out how it protects itself so that we can create better antibiotics to help people get better without hurting their good gut bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | June 16, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $661,693 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI188467-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11225499 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have experienced recurrent C. difficile infections or are at high risk for such infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by other types of bacteria or those who do not have C. difficile infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on Clostridioides difficile, a harmful bacterium responsible for severe diarrhea, particularly in hospital settings. The project aims to identify specific enzymes that help this bacterium maintain its protective cell wall, which is crucial for its survival and ability to cause infections. By understanding these enzymes, researchers hope to develop more targeted antibiotics that can effectively eliminate C. difficile without harming beneficial gut bacteria. This approach could lead to better treatment options for patients suffering from C. difficile infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective antibiotics that specifically target C. difficile, reducing the risk of relapse and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting bacterial enzymes for antibiotic development, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiss, David S — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Weiss, David S
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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.