Finding bacterial proteins in tumors to learn how microbes affect cancer
An enabling approach for deep metaproteomic characterization ofmicrobial contributors to tumorigenesis in clinical samples
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · NIH-11308349
This project tests a new lab method to pull out and identify bacterial proteins from tumor samples so people with cancer and researchers can learn how microbes may influence tumor growth and response to treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11308349 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will develop a method to label microbes in tumor biopsies using bio-orthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT), enrich labeled cells by cell sorting, and then identify microbial proteins with sensitive mass spectrometry. The team will optimize the workflow to recover microbes that are rare among abundant human cells without relying on culture. They will apply and refine the method on clinical cancer tissues and fluids collected at the University of Minnesota. The aim is to map microbial proteins and pathways that interact with tumor cells and could point to new diagnostic markers or therapeutic leads.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with tumors scheduled for biopsy or surgical removal who consent to donate tissue or tumor-associated fluids for research.
Not a fit: People without cancer, those not undergoing tissue collection, or patients seeking direct treatment benefits are unlikely to gain personal medical benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the method could reveal microbial proteins that drive or influence cancer and point to new diagnostics or treatment targets.
How similar studies have performed: Proteomics and enrichment methods have been used in microbiome research, but applying BONCAT-based enrichment to clinical tumor samples is a relatively new and largely unproven approach.
Where this research is happening
MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA — MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GRIFFIN, TIMOTHY J. — UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- Study coordinator: GRIFFIN, TIMOTHY J.
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 below.