How Brucella bacteria change cells' internal transport systems

Remodeling of intracellular membrane traffic by Brucella effectors

NIH-funded research University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11290387

This research aims to show how Brucella bacteria alter the inside of infected cells in ways that could help people and animals with brucellosis.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Burlington, United States)
Project IDNIH-11290387 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be hearing about work that looks at how Brucella bacteria send special proteins into host cells to rewire the cell's internal shipping system and make a safe place to grow. Scientists will follow specific bacterial effector proteins (like BspB, BspD, and BspF) and study how they target the Golgi and other cell parts using lab-grown cells, biochemical tests, and high-resolution microscopy. The team combines genetic tools to turn bacterial factors on or off and tracks the changes in cell structure and bacterial replication. These lab findings aim to reveal steps the bacteria use to survive that could later be targeted by treatments or prevention strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with confirmed brucellosis, those recovering from brucellosis, or individuals with occupational exposure to livestock would be most relevant to this research.

Not a fit: People with infections or health issues unrelated to Brucella are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets for drugs or vaccines to prevent or treat brucellosis.

How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have identified Brucella effector proteins that change host cell trafficking, but translating these findings into treatments is still at an early stage.

Where this research is happening

Burlington, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Animal DiseasesBacterial Infections
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.