Understanding how the history of bacteria affects their resistance to antibiotics
Official title: Using strain history to improve prediction of the evolution of antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10974013 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the history of a germ called Acinetobacter baumannii affects its ability to resist antibiotics, helping us understand why some infections are harder to treat and how we can better fight them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AI172279-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974013 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have been infected with Acinetobacter baumannii or are at risk of such infections, particularly those with a history of antibiotic treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by other types of bacteria that do not involve Acinetobacter baumannii may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the evolutionary history of Acinetobacter baumannii influences its ability to develop resistance to antibiotics. By analyzing a collection of clinical isolates, the study aims to identify genetic and phenotypic differences that contribute to antimicrobial resistance. The researchers will explore how factors like genetic relatedness and previous antibiotic exposure shape the bacteria's evolution and predictability of resistance. This work is crucial for developing strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved predictions of antibiotic resistance patterns, enhancing treatment strategies for patients with infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding antimicrobial resistance through genetic analysis, making this approach promising yet still exploring new aspects of bacterial evolution.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rokes, Alecia Barbara — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Rokes, Alecia Barbara
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.