Why some gonorrhea strains resist ceftriaxone antibiotics
Official title: Molecular mechanism of cephalosporin resistance of N. gonorrhoeae conferred by mutated PBP2
Funded at University of South Alabama · NIH-11285422 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are working to understand how changes in a bacterial protein make gonorrhea resistant to ceftriaxone, to help people with drug-resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Alabama NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mobile, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $698,514 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI164794-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11285422 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with gonorrhea—especially those whose infections do not respond to standard antibiotics—could potentially provide bacterial samples for this research.
✕Less likely to help
This laboratory-focused work will not provide immediate treatment or clinical benefit to participants needing care now.
What this research studies
Scientists will examine PBP2, the bacterial protein that cephalosporin antibiotics target, and compare normal and mutated versions found in resistant gonorrhea strains. They will use lab experiments, structural techniques, and computer simulations to see how the drug binds and how mutations change the protein's shape and movements during binding and acylation. By testing specific mutated PBP2 proteins from resistant strains, the team aims to pinpoint which molecular changes block the antibiotic from working. These detailed findings are intended to guide the design of new drugs or improvements to existing antibiotics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new or improved antibiotics that work against gonorrhea strains resistant to ceftriaxone.
How similar studies have gone: Previous structural and biochemical studies have linked PBP2 mutations to resistance, and this project applies deeper structure-function and molecular dynamics work to generate new insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Alabama
Mobile, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davies, Christopher — University of South Alabama
- Study coordinator: Davies, Christopher
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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.