Through genetic sequencing and techniques such as mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography, the scientists analyze the compounds to identify which are most distinctive.

“If you find the outliers, it can direct you to new antibiotics,” Bugni said.

From bugs to drugs?

Some of the leads are being tested in animals. Eventually, human studies would have to gauge efficacy and safety.

The researchers are teaming up with three colleagues at UW-Madison and one at Harvard on the NIH grant project. They would likely partner with biotech or pharmaceutical companies to develop any drugs, Andes said.

Currie and Bugni have mined for microbes in other countries. But the NIH project is limited to the United States, given restrictions on patenting and licensing natural material under an international treaty, the Convention on Biodiversity.

That still leaves many places to search. Currie and some students are in Florida this week looking for ants, beetles, bees, wasps and termites. He also collects insects in Wisconsin and plans to go to Hawaii.

Bugni, who has taken samples from the Florida Keys, will go to Puerto Rico soon.