How a specific virus helps fight cholera bacteria
Official title: Mechanisms by which ICP3 Overcomes Vibrio cholerae Phage Defenses
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11126874 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special virus called ICP3 can successfully attack and kill the bacteria that cause cholera, and it aims to find out why this virus is so good at doing its job without the bacteria fighting back, which could help create better treatments for cholera.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $202,350 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI181039-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126874 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of cholera infection, particularly in areas where cholera outbreaks are common.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of cholera or those who have already been vaccinated against it may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how a particular bacteriophage, ICP3, effectively targets and kills Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera. The study aims to understand why V. cholerae rarely develops resistance to ICP3 compared to other phages. By deleting specific genes in ICP3 and examining their roles, researchers hope to uncover the mechanisms that allow this phage to overcome bacterial defenses. This knowledge could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating or preventing cholera infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments for cholera, potentially reducing the incidence and severity of this disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using bacteriophages to combat bacterial infections, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Camilli, Andrew — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Camilli, Andrew
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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.