Using machine learning to create new antibiotics for gonorrhea
Official title: Harnessing machine learning to develop new antibiotics for Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11054559 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on finding new antibiotics to treat gonorrhea, a common infection that has become hard to cure because the bacteria are resistant to current medicines, and it's led by Dr. Melis Anahtar, who specializes in this area.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 12, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $196,738 |
| NIH project number | 5K08AI182474-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054559 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with gonorrhea, particularly those with drug-resistant infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have gonorrhea or those with non-drug-resistant infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new antibiotics for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that has become resistant to existing treatments. By utilizing machine learning techniques, the project aims to identify and create effective antibiotic candidates to combat this growing threat. The research is led by Dr. Melis Anahtar, who has a background in clinical pathology and antimicrobial resistance. The goal is to address the urgent public health challenge posed by drug-resistant gonorrhea, which affects millions globally.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antibiotics that effectively treat drug-resistant gonorrhea, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using machine learning for antibiotic discovery, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anahtar, Melis N. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Anahtar, Melis N.
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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.