Using marine sponge compounds to reduce side effects of antibiotics

Marine sponge depsipeptides to minimize antibiotic collateral damage

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10844626

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 typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10844626 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: Patients who are not prescribed antibiotics or those with conditions that do not involve antibiotic treatment may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Chicago, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.