Bacterial membrane proteins that help infections and guide new antibiotics
Biophysical understanding of pathogen-host membrane protein interactions for drug discovery and delivery
Researchers are mapping how two bacterial membrane proteins from Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis interact with human cells to help create better antibiotics and drug-delivery methods for people with bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11333799 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is using lab-based structural and biophysical tools to see how two bacterial membrane proteins (Opa and LspA) change shape, stick to human cell receptors, and form complexes. They recreate membranes and use purified proteins, liposomes, and receptor systems to watch dynamic behavior rather than just static snapshots. The goal is to find weak points in these proteins that could become targets for new antibiotics or ways to deliver drugs into infected cells. This work is basic science in the lab and does not directly treat patients right now.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with gonorrhea, meningococcal infections, or antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections would be most relevant to benefit from therapies developed from these findings.
Not a fit: People with non-bacterial illnesses (for example, viral infections) are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new antibiotic targets and improved drug-delivery approaches for bacterial infections such as gonorrhea and meningococcal disease.
How similar studies have performed: Structural biology has enabled drug advances for other bacterial targets, but applying dynamic, oligomer-focused biophysics to Opa and LspA is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Columbus, Linda M — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Columbus, Linda M
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 below.