Epigenomic clues and immune context in stubborn MRSA bloodstream infections
Official title: Epigenomic Mechanisms & Contextual Immunity in Persistent MRSA Bacteremia
Funded at Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center · NIH-11350993 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying why some MRSA bloodstream infections persist despite antibiotics and how the immune system and bacterial DNA packaging (epigenetics) influence this, with the goal of better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Torrance, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $463,359 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI172713-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11350993 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with MRSA bacteremia or persistent MRSA infections who are being treated in clinical settings and can provide samples for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with MRSA infections that clear with standard therapy or those not eligible for sample collection may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Staphylococcus aureus causes serious bloodstream infections, and MRSA can persist even when antibiotics seem active in the lab. This project investigates how the bacteria and the patient’s immune system interact in persistent MRSA bacteremia, focusing on epigenomic changes and immune responses. By examining patient samples and bacterial behavior in the body, the study aims to identify new targets for therapy and to understand why current antibiotics fail in vivo. The work may explore how host factors and bacterial adaptation drive persistence and resistance, with the aim of informing future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with persistent MRSA bacteremia could have more effective treatment options and quicker clearance of infection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has identified persistence mechanisms in MRSA and immune interactions, but this project aims to extend those findings toward epigenomic and contextual immunity insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Torrance, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeaman, Michael R — Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Yeaman, Michael R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Collaborative AI for safer, faster bacteremia care
A physician-centered AI system is being built to help diagnose and treat bloodstream infections more accurately and safely, with the goal of reducing sepsis deaths.
-
Rapid pathogen ID and antibiotic testing for bacteremia using immune capture, microfluidics, and AI
A fast, AI-assisted diagnostic system will identify bacteria in blood and determine which antibiotics are likely to work, helping doctors treat bacteremia sooner.
-
Predicting which febrile kids with sickle cell disease are at low risk for bacteremia
A small, patient-facing prediction rule is being developed to help doctors decide which febrile children with sickle cell disease really need aggressive testing and antibiotics.
-
Multimodal antibody therapy to treat Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections
A hospital-focused immunotherapy approach uses a mix of antibodies to help fight blood infections from Staphylococcus aureus by blocking immune evasion and bacterial growth.
-
Defining how macrophages fight Klebsiella in the blood
This grant studies how innate immune cells called macrophages protect against Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections to help reduce sepsis mortality.
-
Liposome-delivered rebamipide as an add-on treatment for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia
A biotech company is testing a liposome-formulated rebamipide to help the body fight Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections alongside standard antibiotics.
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.