How a Legionella protein helps the bacteria survive heat and cause infection
Deciphering how the Cas2 ribonuclease non-canonically controls Legionella pneumophila thermal tolerance and virulence
Learning how a Legionella protein called Cas2 helps the bacteria survive heat and become more infectious to people at risk for Legionnaires' disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11134542 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study the bacterial protein Cas2 to understand how it changes Legionella's ability to survive high temperatures and infect host cells. They will use laboratory models including amoebae and macrophage cells, create bacterial strains missing or carrying modified Cas2, and test the protein's RNA-cutting activity. The team will purify Cas2 and measure how disabling its RNase function alters bacterial survival and infection traits in these lab systems. These experiments aim to link Cas2's molecular activity to behaviors that make Legionella more likely to cause disease in humans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had Legionnaires' disease or who are at higher risk because of exposure to contaminated water systems may be interested in following this research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment for active Legionnaires' disease should not expect direct clinical benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat Legionnaires' disease by targeting a bacterial mechanism that helps Legionella survive and infect people.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory work showed Cas2 promotes Legionella infection of amoebae, but applying that finding to human treatments or prevention remains novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cianciotto, Nicholas P — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Cianciotto, Nicholas P
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.