# Computer-aided design for improved lantibiotics

> **NIH NIH R41** · ORAGENICS, INC. · 2021 · $256,654

## Abstract

ABSRACT
With the ever-increasing problem of antibiotic resistance and the concurrent use of antibiotics in the food chain
and in agriculture, there is an urgent and unmet need for new classes of antibiotics. Lantibiotics represent a large
untapped pipeline of attractive scaffolds for the development of novel antibiotics. Previous in vitro and in vivo
studies support the concept that lantibiotics are efficacious in Gram-positive models of infection, and that they
are safe.
Mutacin 1140 (MU1140) is a lantibiotic discovered by Oragenics, which has received considerable attention as
a potentially novel antimicrobial agent because of its spectrum of activity, potency, low frequency of antimicrobial
resistance, limited cytotoxicity, and overall pharmacological profile. MU1140 is an attractive scaffold for future
antibiotic engineering by virtue of its excellent safety profile, novel Mechanism of Action, and the bacteria’s limited
ability to develop resistance once it will be used in the clinic.
In the proposed research, we will investigate in silico the interaction between MU1140 and its molecular target,
to rank top performers of new analogs of MU1140 using molecular modeling. Those virtually screened
compounds will be prioritized based on relevant pharmacologic properties. Lead compounds from computer
modeling will be synthesized in the laboratory, purified, and characterized to confirm their solubility and stability
in human serum, and that the substitution/modification did not negatively impact the potency of the analogs, as
compared to MU1140.
By the end of the proposed Phase 1 project, we will have confirmed the critical characteristics of synthetic
analogs designed in silico, which will provide a solid framework for future development.
This application is a joint effort between PI Park and Dr. Handfield at Oragenics, and their collaborators from
Florida International University, Profs. Gerstman and Chapagain. Investigators will work closely together to
implement the goals of the project and ensure the aims and tasks are performed in a timely manner.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10138754
- **Project number:** 1R41GM136034-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** ORAGENICS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Martin Handfield
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $256,654
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10138754

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10138754, Computer-aided design for improved lantibiotics (1R41GM136034-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10138754. Licensed CC0.

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