Genetic requirements for making lipoteichoic acid in C. difficile
Official title: Genetic requirements for lipoteichoic acid synthesis in Clostridioides difficile
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11446153 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-relevant project aims to understand how a key bacterial component is built in the gut bug Clostridioides difficile to guide the development of better, more precise treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $684,797 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI195554-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446153 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with C. difficile infections or those at risk who may benefit from future targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without C. difficile infection may not directly benefit from this basic research.
What this research studies
Clostridioides difficile is a major cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea, and current antibiotics often relapse by harming beneficial gut bacteria. This grant studies the genes involved in making a unique cell-surface structure called lipoteichoic acid, which is essential for C. difficile viability. By mapping how LTA is synthesized and why it’s needed, researchers hope to identify new targets for safer, more effective drugs. The work combines genetic, biochemical, and potentially computational approaches to pinpoint vulnerabilities in the bacterial cell envelope. If successful, the findings could pave the way for drugs that spare the microbiome while fighting C. difficile.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new antibiotics that specifically target C. difficile with fewer relapses and less disruption to the gut microbiome.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown that disrupting LTA synthesis can compromise bacterial viability, supporting potential translational value.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ellermeier, Craig D — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Ellermeier, Craig D
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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.