Using enzymes to create penicillin antibiotics more efficiently
Official title: Repurposing Styrene Catabolic Enzymes for the Synthesis of Penicillins
Funded at San Francisco State University · NIH-10898870 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to make penicillin antibiotics, which help treat infections like bacterial meningitis, by using special enzymes to make the process cleaner and more efficient, so that patients can have better access to these important medicines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Francisco State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $155,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM145453-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898870 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals suffering from bacterial infections that require penicillin treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections that are resistant to penicillin or those who do not require antibiotic treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the production methods of penicillin antibiotics, which are crucial for treating various bacterial infections, including bacterial meningitis. The team is exploring the use of styrene catabolic enzymes to enhance the synthesis of penicillins through a greener, chemoenzymatic approach. By optimizing these enzymatic processes, the research aims to increase the efficiency and accessibility of penicillin production while minimizing environmental impacts. Patients could benefit from more reliable access to these essential antibiotics as a result of this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more efficient production of penicillin antibiotics, ensuring better availability for patients in need.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using enzymatic methods for antibiotic production, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gassner, George T. — San Francisco State University
- Study coordinator: Gassner, George T.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How brain immune cells shape connections linked to autism and epilepsy
This project watches how brain immune cells called microglia interact with and remove synapses during development to understand links to autism and epilepsy.
-
How RNase E in a soil bacterium helps plants host symbiosis
Scientists are studying how a bacterial enzyme packages its RNA inside tiny granules to help a soil bacterium warmly colonize plant roots.
-
Targeting the bacterial thymidylate synthase enzyme to fight infections
A new approach aims to block a bacterial enzyme needed to make DNA, potentially stopping infections like tuberculosis and C. difficile with fewer side effects for people.
-
How Money Troubles Shape Teens’ Substance Use
This grant studies how financial stress in families relates to teens using alcohol, cannabis, and other substances, to help families and clinicians understand risk.
-
Moon and Sun Brothers: HIV prevention groups for Hispanic men
This program offers group sessions using civic participation and peer support to help Hispanic men, including those not exclusively heterosexual, lower behaviors that raise their HIV risk.
-
Anti-racist nature-based healing to slow cellular aging in young BIPOC adults
This project looks at whether community-led, culturally grounded nature healing programs can reduce stress and protect cellular markers of aging in transitional-age BIPOC adults.
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.