Genetic factors shaping Helicobacter pylori infection
Official title: Genetic requirements of Helicobacter pylori infection
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11390410 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist is studying how the genetics of the stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori interact with human hosts to influence infection and disease risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2003 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $543,827 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AI054423-22 |
| Project ID | NIH-11390410 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Helicobacter pylori infection or at-risk populations affected by Hp-related stomach disease.
✕Less likely to help
People not infected with Hp or not at risk for Hp-related diseases may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Helicobacter pylori infects many people and can lead to serious stomach diseases including ulcers and cancer. This project looks at how bacterial genes, especially those on mobile elements and surface proteins, vary across populations and how admixture and transmission within families influence parasite genetics. The study aims to connect bacterial genetic variation with patterns of stomach inflammation and pre-cancerous changes, considering racial and ethnic disparities in disease outcomes. Researchers will use genetic analysis and bioassays to understand how Hp’s diverse genes contribute to its ability to cause disease in different people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining insights into Hp genetics could help tailor prevention, diagnostics, and treatments to reduce severe stomach diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked Hp genetic variation to disease outcomes, but this project advances understanding of intergenomic recombination and mobile genetic elements in relation to human populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salama, Nina — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Salama, Nina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how Helicobacter pylori causes disease and how to block it
Scientists are studying how the stomach-dwelling bacteria H. pylori causes illness and how to stop it from using its outer proteins to grab nutrients.
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Family-based testing to prevent gastric cancer from Helicobacter pylori
A doctor-facing plan to test and treat multiple family members of someone with H. pylori to prevent stomach cancer in adults.
-
New cancer-causing mechanisms in H. pylori infection
A scientist is studying how Helicobacter pylori may cause stomach cancer and how this knowledge could lead to better treatments for patients.
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How H. pylori infection may cause stomach inflammation and early cancer changes
This project looks at how H. pylori infection together with an activated cancer-related gene (KRAS) changes stomach cells toward precancerous and cancerous states, mainly using mouse models.
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How H. pylori causes stomach infection and disease
This project looks at bacterial proteins that help H. pylori survive in the stomach to help people with H. pylori infections and related ulcers or cancer risk.
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Investigating how polyamines affect stomach cancer risk during H. pylori infection
This study is looking at how certain natural compounds in the stomach might affect inflammation and the risk of stomach cancer in people infected with Helicobacter pylori, and it aims to find new ways to help prevent cancer for those individuals.
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.