Cultivating Enterocytozoon bieneusi in the lab and decoding its genome
Official title: In vitro cultivation and genome sequencing/annotation of Enterocytozoon bieneusi
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11411131 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will grow Enterocytozoon bieneusi in advanced lab systems and map its genome to understand how it causes disease in people with HIV/AIDS or weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $400,636 |
| NIH project number | 5R61AI187074-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411131 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with HIV/AIDS or other forms of immune suppression who suffer from Eb-related diarrhea and related infections.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or patients without Eb infection or immunosuppression are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project uses innovative in vitro cultivation methods and genome sequencing to study a muscle-invading, intestinal microbe that causes severe diarrhea in immunocompromised patients. By combining purified pathogen preparations, human intestinal and gallbladder tissue models, and collaboration between Tufts University and the University of Maryland, scientists aim to develop reliable culture systems and high-quality genomic data. The work includes leveraging a hollow-fiber cultivation system and diverse human tissue sources to model infection more accurately. Findings could improve diagnostics, disease understanding, and future therapeutic approaches for affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to better diagnosis and new strategies to treat or prevent Eb infections in people with HIV/AIDS and other immune-compromised individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts have established purification and some in vitro models, but continuous cultivation in cell culture has been challenging, making this approach innovative yet building on partial successes.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tzipori, Saul R — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Tzipori, Saul R
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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.