Understanding how small molecules enter and exit antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Official title: Small-Molecule Penetration and Efflux in Gram-Negative Bacteria
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11044087 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tiny molecules can get into and out of tough bacteria that don't respond to regular antibiotics, like Acinetobacter baumannii, to help find better treatments for infections that are hard to treat.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,203,141 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI182389-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044087 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, particularly those caused by Acinetobacter baumannii.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria or those not infected with antibiotic-resistant strains may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which small molecules penetrate and are expelled from the cells of antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, specifically focusing on Acinetobacter baumannii. The team has developed a platform that combines experimental and computational methods to analyze these processes, aiming to identify structural features that enhance the effectiveness of new antibiotics. By creating a large dataset, they will train machine learning models to predict how well potential antibiotics can penetrate bacterial defenses. This approach seeks to overcome the challenges faced in developing effective treatments against these resistant infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antibiotics that are effective against resistant bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using computational models to enhance antibiotic development, indicating that this approach could yield significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tan, Derek S — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Tan, Derek 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.