Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Targeting Resistance at Its Source: Identifying Superspreaders of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Hospital Ecosystems

Award Number: R01AI195926
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/23/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2031

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Targeting Resistance at Its Source: Identifying Superspreaders of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Hospital Ecosystems - Project Summary Antibiotic resistance (AMR) is a critical global health challenge, contributing to nearly 5 million deaths annually. The rapid spread of resistance is often driven by the transfer of AMR genes via mobile genetic elements such as plasmids and transposons. Hospitals face unique challenges in controlling transmission, as AMR genes can move within and between bacterial species within patients, and the hospital environment. For more than 15 years, our hospital has worked to eliminate many species and strains that all share a single resistance gene, a carbapenemase, spreading through wastewater premise plumbing such as sink drains. Despite disinfection efforts, resistant bacteria have adapted and continued to spread resistance, underscoring the need for targeted strategies to address the source of resistance genes. This project seeks to unravel the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance gene movement and identify key bacterial and genetic superspreaders that drive transmission. Our overarching goal is to disrupt AMR networks by targeting these superspreaders, ultimately halting the spread of resistance at its origin. Our research brings together an effective expert team with knowledge of genomics, epidemiology, microbiology, infection control, and the mathematics of network science to track the spread of AMR genes in ways that were not previously possible. To achieve this, we propose three synergistic aims: First, we will investigate gene mobility within bacterial cells by combining cutting-edge genomics and novel mathematical approaches to determine the dominant transposons and mechanisms moving a carbapenemase gene in isolates that we have collected from patients and the environment. Second, we will identify plasmids that are driving carbapenemase gene transfer between bacteria. We will analyze the biological factors influencing gene transfer by combining innovative mathematical modeling with laboratory experiments. Our unique sink-drain lab, simulating hospital plumbing, provides an unparalleled environment for testing these dynamics. Lastly, we will develop predictive models of AMR gene spread by integrating genomic and epidemiological data into comprehensive models to predict AMR gene movement across bacterial communities. To demonstrate the generalizability of our approach, we will apply it to a different class of emerging antibiotic resistance genes. This research aligns with the agency's mission by addressing a critical public health threat through innovative and actionable science. Efforts to eliminate drug-resistant bacteria using disinfectants and antibiotics have largely failed, often creating selective pressure that allows AMR to persist while killing off beneficial bacteria. By shifting the focus to the genetic elements that spread resistance, our work will lay the foundation for smarter, more effective infection control strategies. This approach has the potential to reshape how hospitals, public health agencies, and scientists combat AMR, reducing its impact on patients and preventing the emergence of even more dangerous antibiotic resistant superbugs.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $795,990 )
2026	2026	RECTOR & VISITORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA	1001 EMMET ST N	CHARLOTTESVILLE	VA	22903	CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	4/27/2026	NEW	$795,990
														Subtotal = $795,990

Grand Total All Awards = $795,990

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Targeting Resistance at Its Source: Identifying Superspreaders of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Hospital Ecosystems

Award Number: R01AI195926

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/23/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2031

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer