Viruses that attack bacteria: exploring phage variety and potential uses
Bacteriophage diversity, dynamics, function, and exploitation
Researchers are mapping the diversity and behavior of bacteriophages to find new ways to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320771 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project collects bacteriophages from many environments and reads their genomes to learn what genes they carry and how they work. Scientists will study how phages interact with bacteria, including bacterial defense systems like CRISPR, to understand which phages can kill which bacteria. The team will test phage functions in the lab to identify candidates or tools that might be useful against bacterial infections. Results are aimed at building knowledge that could enable future phage-based treatments or diagnostics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with antibiotic-resistant or hard-to-treat bacterial infections would be the most likely candidates for future treatments that come from this research.
Not a fit: Patients with non-bacterial illnesses or routine infections easily cleared by standard antibiotics are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new ways to treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections or tools to guide personalized phage therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Phage therapy has shown promising results in case reports and small clinical efforts, but broad clinical success is limited and this project focuses on foundational lab research rather than immediate treatments.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hatfull, Graham F. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Hatfull, Graham F.
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 below.