Host immune and metabolic factors in Staphylococcus aureus persister survival
Official title: Host Immune and Metabolic Determinants of Staphylococcus aureusPersister Survival
Funded at University of Nebraska Kearney · NIH-11422570 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing program will explore how certain immune signals and cell metabolism affect persistent Staphylococcus aureus infections and how this knowledge could guide better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Kearney NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kearney, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $137,005 |
| NIH project number | 1R16AI201121-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11422570 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with chronic or device-associated Staphylococcus aureus infections who have failed standard antibiotic therapy and are monitored for immune responses.
✕Less likely to help
People without chronic Staphylococcus aureus infection or those not undergoing persistent infection management are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at why chronic Staphylococcus aureus infections linger despite antibiotics, focusing on persister cells and how they interact with the immune system. Researchers will study how immune signals like TNF-α and metabolic changes influence persister survival and biofilm-associated infections. The work aims to map how these factors might be targeted to improve antibiotic effectiveness and help patients with stubborn infections. Results could inform future therapies that work alongside the immune system to clear persistent bacteria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new treatment strategies that improve clearance of chronic Staphylococcus aureus infections.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work suggests persister biology and biofilm interactions influence treatment outcomes, with ongoing research showing promise in targeting metabolic pathways.
Where this research is happening
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University of Nebraska Kearney
Kearney, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nuxoll, Austin Sky — University of Nebraska Kearney
- Study coordinator: Nuxoll, Austin Sky
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.