Using natural microbial mixtures to create better antibiotic combinations
Official title: Discovery and development of drug cocktails evolved by Nature
Funded at Texas Engineering Experiment Station · NIH-11320858 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Finding natural combinations of compounds to make antibiotics that work better for people with drug-resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Engineering Experiment Station NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $346,389 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM146984-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11320858 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with drug-resistant bacterial infections would be the most likely candidates for any future clinical testing based on these findings.
✕Less likely to help
This laboratory-focused research does not directly help people with viral infections or non-infectious conditions.
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, the team is looking at how microbes naturally make sets of compounds that work together and using those recipes to find stronger antibiotic mixes. They will use genome data to predict which compounds are co-produced, test mixtures in the lab for synergy against drug-resistant bacteria, and develop ways to make promising combinations. The work focuses on reducing the chance that bacteria become resistant and on producing mixtures that could be developed into therapies. These are laboratory steps that could guide later testing in people if promising candidates are found.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new combination antibiotics that are more effective against drug-resistant infections.
How similar studies have gone: There are known examples where natural product combinations work against bacteria, but using genome-guided discovery of co-produced synergistic mixtures is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Engineering Experiment Station
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Xuejun — Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Xuejun
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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.