Understanding how some bacteria survive antibiotic treatment in the body
Official title: Identifying the pathways associated with bacterial antibiotic persistence within host tissues
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10999413 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some bacteria can stick around in the body even after antibiotic treatment, which can cause infections to come back, and it's for anyone interested in better ways to fight these stubborn bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | January 6, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $571,207 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI175307-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10999413 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from bacterial infections that are difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance or persistence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with viral infections or those who do not have a history of antibiotic treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain bacteria can survive antibiotic treatment within the body, leading to potential relapsing infections. It focuses on 'persister cells,' which are bacteria that can tolerate high levels of antibiotics and remain in host tissues after treatment. By using a mouse model, the researchers aim to identify specific survival strategies of these persister cells and develop improved treatment methods that can effectively target all bacterial populations, including those that are resistant. This approach seeks to enhance treatment efficacy and reduce the duration of antibiotic exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for bacterial infections, reducing the risk of relapsing infections and antibiotic resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting persister cells in laboratory settings, but this approach is still relatively novel in the context of in vivo studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davis, Kim — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Davis, Kim
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.