How C. difficile Bacteria Use Iron to Cause Infections
The molecular basis of ferrosome organelle biogenesis and its impact on host-microbe interactions
This project explores how C. difficile bacteria manage iron inside our bodies, which could help us find new ways to fight these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170540 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
C. difficile infections are a growing problem, especially after taking antibiotics, and current treatments aren't always effective. To survive and thrive in your gut, C. difficile needs iron, but it also needs to protect itself from too much iron. We've discovered that C. difficile creates tiny storage compartments called ferrosomes to manage iron. This work aims to understand how these ferrosomes are made and how they help the bacteria cause infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who suffer from C. difficile infections, especially those with recurring or severe cases, could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this fundamental understanding.
Not a fit: Patients without C. difficile infections would not directly benefit from this specific research, as it focuses solely on the biology of this particular bacterium.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets for developing innovative treatments that specifically stop C. difficile from growing and causing disease.
How similar studies have performed: This research builds upon recent discoveries about ferrosome organelles in C. difficile, representing a novel approach to understanding its survival mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pi, Hualiang — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Pi, Hualiang
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.