Exploring natural products from the Legionella pathogen
Official title: Natural product discovery and biosynthetic pathway elucidation from the human pathogen Legionella
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-10899532 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the substances made by Legionella bacteria, which cause Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever, to find out how they might affect our health and help us understand the infection better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $86,932 |
| NIH project number | 5F32GM151795-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899532 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease or Pontiac fever.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by other pathogens unrelated to Legionella may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the natural products produced by the Legionella bacteria, which are responsible for Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever. It aims to identify and characterize bioactive compounds that may play a role in the infection process. The study employs gene-targeting techniques to discover novel enzymes involved in the production of these compounds, and utilizes bioinformatics to analyze the genetic pathways associated with them. By understanding these natural products, the research seeks to uncover new insights into how Legionella affects human health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new treatments for infections caused by Legionella.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying natural products from other pathogens, suggesting potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cui, Zheng — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Cui, Zheng
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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.