How C. difficile bacteria gather nutrients in the gut
Official title: Clostridioides difficile nucleobase scavenging in the competitive gut environment
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-10975026 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the harmful bacteria Clostridioides difficile takes nutrients from your gut, which can help us find new ways to prevent or treat infections, especially for people who have had antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $34,250 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AI172352-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975026 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal issues or are at risk for C. difficile infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of antibiotic use or gastrointestinal infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the bacteria Clostridioides difficile, which can cause severe gut infections, scavenges nucleobases—essential building blocks for its growth—from the gut environment. By understanding the competition for these nutrients between C. difficile and the healthy gut microbiota, the research aims to identify potential therapeutic targets to prevent or treat infections. The study employs advanced sequencing techniques to analyze the gut microbiome and the metabolic pathways of C. difficile. This could lead to new strategies for managing antibiotic-associated infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that prevent C. difficile infections, improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in targeting bacterial nutrient acquisition pathways, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Munneke, Matthew — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Munneke, Matthew
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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.