Understanding Phage Treatments for Resistant Bacteria
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Mechanistically Aware Phage Cocktails
This work aims to improve how we use special viruses called phages to fight serious infections caused by bacteria that no longer respond to common antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167608 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many bacteria, like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, have become resistant to most antibiotics, creating a serious health challenge. This project explores bacteriophages, which are natural viruses that can specifically kill bacteria without harming human cells. Researchers are working to understand how these phages move through the body and interact with bacteria, which is key to finding the best way to give them to patients. The goal is to develop more effective and reliable phage treatments for people with difficult-to-treat infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work is for future patients suffering from severe infections caused by extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Not a fit: Patients with infections caused by bacteria that are still treatable with standard antibiotics may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better dosing and treatment plans for phage therapy, offering new hope for patients with life-threatening, antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
How similar studies have performed: Published preclinical data and early patient treatments have shown that these specific Pseudomonas phages have high potential to fight resistant bacteria.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Nicholas Michael — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Smith, Nicholas Michael
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 below.