Center for Staph-related bone and joint infections
Administrative Core
Works on new ways to find and treat Staphylococcus aureus infections in bone and infected joint replacements for patients facing repeat infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178429 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I had a bone or prosthetic joint infection, this Center studies why Staph aureus often comes back after surgery and looks for hidden bacterial reservoirs in live bone. Researchers test patients' immune responses with custom blood tests, develop antibiotic adjuvants that can be 3D-printed into custom spacers, and use live imaging to watch how bacteria and implants interact. Several lab discoveries have been turned into patented technologies and are being moved toward clinical use with industry partners.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with prosthetic joint infections or recurrent bone infections, or patients undergoing joint replacement willing to provide blood or tissue samples and attend clinic visits.
Not a fit: People without Staphylococcus aureus bone or joint infections, or those unwilling to provide samples or travel for clinic procedures, are unlikely to benefit from this Center's work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to tests that identify who is at risk, treatments that reach hidden bacteria in bone, and 3D-printed antibiotic spacers that reduce repeat infections and surgeries.
How similar studies have performed: Antibiotic-loaded spacers and immune testing have shown benefit in some settings, but targeting hidden reservoirs in bone and using 3D-printed antibiotic adjuvants is relatively new and still being tested.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwarz, Edward M. — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Schwarz, Edward 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.