Characterization of Shigella’s injection system and how it activates
Official title: Characterization of assembly and activation of the Shigella type III secretion injectisome
Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-11386554 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how the Shigella bacteria activates its special needle-like system to infect cells, using advanced imaging to reveal details that could lead to better prevention and treatment for children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $616,769 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI172097-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386554 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be children in communities affected by Shigella infections or those at risk for severe diarrheal disease.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not affected by Shigella infection or whose disease does not involve the injected mechanisms are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine the Shigella type III secretion system (T3SS) in detail, focusing on how the secretion injectisome switches between active and inactive states. They will combine cryo-electron tomography with biochemical analyses to map the assembly and function of the cytoplasmic sorting platform and its interaction with the host membrane. The work aims to visualize the injectisome at near-atomic resolution and build models of how proteins rearrange during infection. Although conducted in a lab setting, the findings target insights that could inform strategies to prevent childhood diarrheal disease caused by Shigella.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This research could contribute to future strategies to prevent or treat Shigella infections in children by interrupting the secretion system.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using cryo-ET have successfully visualized similar bacterial secretion systems, supporting the feasibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Picking, William D. — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Picking, William D.
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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.