Protein-based antimicrobial targeting drug-resistant E. coli
This technology centers on a specific protein called Hyde1, derived from bacteria that use a molecular 'injection system' (Type VI secretion) to kill competing microbes. The researchers isolated and characterized this protein and showed it can kill pathogenic E. coli. The invention covers using Hyde1 as a therapeutic drug for bacterial infections in humans, as well as engineering non-pathogenic bacteria to produce and deploy it in environments where harmful bacteria need to be controlled. Think of it as repurposing a natural bacterial weapon into a targeted antibiotic protein.
What you could build
A protein-based or living-biotherapeutic antimicrobial product targeting pathogenic E. coli infections, sold to pharmaceutical companies or used as a probiotic-style therapeutic; agricultural and environmental pathogen-control applications (e.g., food safety, water treatment) are a secondary market for engineered bacterial strains.
Who in Virginia should care
Biodefense and infectious disease contractors near the DC/Northern Virginia corridor (e.g., those supporting BARDA, DARPA, or USDA programs) and Virginia-based agbiotech or food-safety companies would have interest.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Asaf Levy, Maximilian Mittelviefhaus, Jiamin Miao, Kunru Wang, Bingyu Zhao, Julia Vorholt-Zambelli, Jeffrey L. Dangl
- Granted
- August 5, 2025
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 12378286
Jointly owned. Virginia Tech holds this patent together with ETH ZURICH, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. VTIP can license Virginia Tech's interest; terms are worked out in the first conversation.
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology. Email us for an introduction prosim@harbor.capital.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.