# Bacteriology Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE · 2024 · $223,892

## Abstract

Abstract
The collective goal of this collaborative P01 application is to target glycans on the surface of bacterial pathogens
using antibodies as anti-infectious agents. We hypothesize that antibodies targeting bacterial glycans with high
affinity will be effective in combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens. In the specific projects of this
application, anti-glycan antibodies will be developed against selected surface glycan targets on the most serious
bacterial pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (Sa), carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae (Klebsiella pneumoniae or Kp), and antibiotic resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng), all of
which are on the “High Priority” or “Critical Priority” list of the World Health Organization (WHO). The goal of this
Core will be to serve the bacteriology needs of the P01 Team. Our initial focus will be to test the developed anti-
glycan antibodies against live Sa pathogen using a series of assays, including antibody binding affinity, antibody
specificity, and opsonophagocytic killing potency. Next, we will assess the impact of the antibodies on promoting
complement mediated killing. In parallel we will test developed anti-glycan antibodies against live Kp and Ng
pathogens and repeat each of the antibody binding and killing assays. Finally, we will test selected anti-Sa
antibodies in a mouse model of skin infection and provide the P01 team with new glycan target leads for
development. The outcomes of this collaborative project will include a better understanding of how the immune
system can target antibiotic-resistant bacteria and how immune responses can be used to control bacterial
growth without causing resistance to arise.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10839294
- **Project number:** 5P01AI172525-02
- **Recipient organization:** SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE
- **Principal Investigator:** ALEXANDER R HORSWILL
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $223,892
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-05-09 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10839294

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10839294, Bacteriology Core (5P01AI172525-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10839294. Licensed CC0.

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