Host factors that drive persistent Staphylococcus aureus bone infection after implants
Official title: Host mechanisms governing Staphylococcus aureus persistence during implant-associated osteomyelitis
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11273538 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies why Staphylococcus aureus sticks around in bone after implants and how the body’s immune cells respond, with the goal of guiding better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $547,767 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR086857-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11273538 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with implant-associated bone infections or those at risk of persistent S. aureus bone infection could benefit from future diagnostics and therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without bone infections or implants may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
Researchers are examining how Staphylococcus aureus persists in bone around implants by using a humanized mouse model to mimic patient biology. They track bacterial growth, bone damage, and the behavior of human T cells in the infected bone environment. The project explores immune checkpoints and cytokine production to understand why some infections become chronic while others resolve. Insights from this work could lead to new biomarkers and more personalized decisions about surgery and therapy for implant-related bone infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to predict and treat stubborn bone infections and help doctors tailor treatment to individual patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work using humanized mouse models has revealed important insights into human immune responses to infection, supporting the potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muthukrishnan, Gowrishankar — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Muthukrishnan, Gowrishankar
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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.