Advancing Bayesian Genomic Models to Identify E. coli Sources in Humans
Official title: Advancing Bayesian Genomic Models to Quantify Zoonotic Transmission of E. coli from Food Animals to Humans
Funded at George Washington University · NIH-11453935 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new study uses genetic clues to figure out which farm animal sources contribute to human E. coli infections, with the goal of targeting prevention.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | August 18, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $242,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI196594-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11453935 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk of ExPEC infections or clinicians and public health personnel seeking to understand and reduce zoonotic transmission.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient-level benefits may be limited to future prevention strategies rather than immediate treatment options.
What this research studies
This project will enhance a Bayesian model that links E. coli patterns found in humans to specific food-animal sources. The work aims to improve accuracy in pinpointing which animal species contribute most to human infections and to validate the model across diverse data sets. By making the tool scalable and generalizable, it could help public health teams identify high-risk reservoirs and inform strategies to reduce transmission. The research will involve analyzing bacterial genetic elements and comparing patterns between human and animal isolates. The ultimate goal is to support evidence-based interventions that lower E. coli-related illness and mortality worldwide.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from more precise prevention efforts that reduce the risk of E. coli infections linked to common food-animal sources.
How similar studies have gone: Previous modeling approaches showed promise but lacked species-level resolution and broad external validation, which this project seeks to address.
Where this research is happening
-
George Washington University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Park, Daniel E — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Park, Daniel E
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.