Using marine sponge compounds to reduce side effects of antibiotics
Official title: Marine sponge depsipeptides to minimize antibiotic collateral damage
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10844626 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at natural substances from marine sponges to find ways to protect your gut health while still using antibiotics, helping to prevent issues like inflammatory bowel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 19, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $239,850 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178347-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10844626 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients who are prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics and are at risk of experiencing negative side effects related to microbiome disruption.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not prescribed antibiotics or those with conditions that do not involve antibiotic treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of natural compounds derived from marine sponges to develop treatments that can minimize the harmful effects of broad-spectrum antibiotics on the human microbiome. By focusing on specific molecules that can counteract the negative impacts of these antibiotics, the study aims to maintain their effectiveness while reducing the risk of complications such as inflammatory bowel disease and other disorders. The approach involves identifying and testing these compounds to ensure they can selectively mitigate the collateral damage caused by antibiotic treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer antibiotic treatments that preserve the beneficial bacteria in the microbiome, improving overall patient health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using natural products to mitigate antibiotic side effects, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eustaquio, Alessandra S — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Eustaquio, Alessandra S
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.