How bacteria build and organize their cell surface
Spatiotemporal regulation of bacterial cell envelope assembly
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA · NIH-11176009
This work looks at how Staphylococcus aureus places and attaches proteins on its cell surface during growth, which could help lead to new ways to stop infections.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (TAMPA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11176009 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will use a new high-resolution microscopy method to watch how surface proteins are positioned on Staphylococcus aureus cells as they grow and divide. In the lab they will change bacterial components such as the enzyme sortase A and enzymes that make lipoteichoic acids to see how those changes affect protein anchoring to the cell wall. The team combines genetic manipulation, biochemistry, and imaging to map the order and location of events in cell envelope assembly. Learning these steps aims to reveal vulnerabilities that could be targeted by future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have or are at risk for Staphylococcus aureus infections would be the most likely to benefit from discoveries made by this research.
Not a fit: Patients with non-bacterial infections or conditions unrelated to S. aureus cell-envelope biology are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could reveal new targets to prevent or weaken S. aureus infections and guide development of novel antibacterial strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Basic research on bacterial cell walls has led to antibiotics in the past, but the specific SrtA-dependent targeting mechanism described here is a newer mechanistic finding that remains at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
TAMPA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA — TAMPA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: YU, WENQI — UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
- Study coordinator: YU, WENQI
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.