Exploring how Neisseria gonorrhoeae uses nutrients and host sugars to thrive
Official title: Investigating the sweet side of gonorrhea to understand nutrient acquisition and sugar-based interactions with the host
Funded at Georgia State University · NIH-11617966 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how the gonorrhea bacteria grab nutrients from the human host and how it interacts with sugars on our cells to help design better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $227,601 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AI184894-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617966 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with gonorrhea or at-risk populations where sample collection related to Neisseria gonorrhoeae is feasible for future translational work.
✕Less likely to help
Participants not receiving experimental interventions or samples may not directly benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how Neisseria gonorrhoeae uses outer membrane transport systems to access nutrients like iron and zinc during infection. Researchers will examine transporter proteins that the bacteria rely on in human infections and test how these transporters interact with host glycan (sugar) molecules. The work combines studying bacterial proteins, their binding to human partners, and how these interactions could be blocked by new drugs. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities in the bacteria that could lead to more effective therapies or vaccines. The study is grounded in pathogens biology and seeks to translate findings into strategies to combat gonorrhea.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could guide the development of new treatments or vaccines that starve the bacteria or block its interaction with the human host.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches targeting bacterial nutrient uptake have shown promise in other pathogens, suggesting potential for gonorrhea as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia State University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cornelissen, Cynthia N — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Cornelissen, Cynthia N
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.