Using phages to reduce the harmful effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections
Official title: Exploiting Pf phage superinfection to lower Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence via evolutionary tradeoffs
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10928123 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how special viruses that target harmful bacteria can help make infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa easier to treat, especially for people with cystic fibrosis who often deal with these tough infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AI179118-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928123 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cystic fibrosis patients who are chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cystic fibrosis or are not infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain viruses that infect bacteria, known as bacteriophages, can be used to lower the virulence of the harmful bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By studying the competition between different phages when they infect the same bacterial host, the researchers aim to understand how these interactions can be manipulated to make bacterial infections easier to treat. The focus is particularly on cystic fibrosis patients who often suffer from chronic infections with this bacterium. The goal is to develop a novel phage therapy approach that leverages these evolutionary dynamics to improve treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that make it easier to treat chronic bacterial infections in patients, particularly those with cystic fibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using bacteriophages for treating bacterial infections, indicating that this approach could be a viable option.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kubota, Nanami — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Kubota, Nanami
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.