HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Wei Xu, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical sciences at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine , has received two highly competitive National Institutes of Health (NIH) R21 grants totaling more than $810,000 to investigate new approaches for combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Xu's research is focused on developing new strategies to combat two serious infectious diseases: catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and invasive Group A Streptococcus skin infections, both of which are increasingly difficult to treat because of antimicrobial resistance.
One project, Unraveling the Functional Redundancy and Activation Mechanisms of Enterococcal Proteases in Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), examines how Enterococcus faecalis establishes persistent infections on urinary catheters. The study challenges longstanding assumptions about how key bacterial enzymes become activated, exploring how proteins naturally present in the urinary tract may trigger biofilm formation and disease. The findings could identify new biomarkers for infection and pave the way for therapies that prevent bacteria from establishing biofilms rather than relying solely on antibiotics.
The second project, Short-chain Fatty Acids Regulation of Tissue Damage in Invasive Skin Infections, investigates how Group A Streptococcus bacteria drive the rapid tissue destruction seen in severe infections such as necrotizing fasciitis. Building on preliminary discoveries, the research will examine how bacterial metabolites alter the body's immune response and whether interrupting this process can limit tissue damage while improving the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment.
The work has particular relevance in West Virginia, where antimicrobial resistance continues to rise and chronic conditions such as diabetes increase the risk and severity of serious infections.
"Our goal is to understand how these bacteria exploit the body's own biology to survive and cause disease," Xu said. "By uncovering these mechanisms, we hope to identify entirely new strategies that complement antibiotics, reduce tissue damage and improve outcomes for patients facing life-threatening infections."
The projects leverage the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine's research infrastructure, including its metabolomics core, single-cell genomics facility and established infectious disease models, while advancing Marshall's commitment to translating scientific discoveries into new approaches for patient care.
The NIH R21 program supports innovative, early-stage research with the potential to open new scientific directions and accelerate discoveries that improve human health.
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About Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
The Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine is a community-based medical school established in 1977 known for its hands-on approach that produces skilled physician and physician assistant graduates in all specialties of medicine with a special focus on rural health. Through its centers of wellness, research initiatives and community outreach programs, the school actively advances innovative health care solutions while addressing the unique needs of Appalachian communities. Learn more at jcesom.marshall.edu.