How C. difficile bacteria make spores
Genetic Mechanisms of Sporulation Induction in C. difficile
This project aims to understand how C. difficile bacteria form spores, which helps them spread and resist treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11012253 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
C. difficile causes severe diarrhea and is easily spread because it forms tough spores that survive outside the body. These spores are very hard to get rid of with common disinfectants. This project wants to discover the exact ways C. difficile starts making these spores inside the gut. Researchers believe certain proteins control this process by activating a key regulator called Spo0A. By learning these molecular details, we hope to find new ways to stop the bacteria from spreading.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who have experienced or are at risk for C. difficile infections may benefit from the future applications of this basic science research.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by C. difficile infections would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding how C. difficile forms spores could lead to new treatments or prevention strategies for this difficult-to-treat infection.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific mechanisms of C. difficile sporulation are not fully understood, general principles of bacterial sporulation have been studied in other bacteria.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcbride, Shonna M. — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Mcbride, Shonna M.
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.