How C. difficile spores sense and respond to germinants to start infection
Official title: Regulation of Spore Germination in Clostridioides difficile
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11384846 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how C. difficile spores recognize bile acids and amino acids so they can begin causing disease, with implications for preventing infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2014 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $333,472 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM108684-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384846 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable in the traditional sense, as this is basic science about bacterial germination; however, insights could inform future therapeutics to reduce infection risk.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not immediate; the research is foundational.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how Clostridioides difficile spores detect germinants like bile acids and co-germinants such as amino acids and Ca2+. It centers on two non-enzymatic proteins, CspC and CspA, which act as sensing partners to control the germination protease CspB, revealing a unique non-catalytic signaling mechanism. By understanding how these soluble proteins integrate signals, researchers aim to uncover new steps in spore germination that could inform prevention strategies. The work builds on prior findings showing direct interaction between CspC and CspA and their role in guiding germination.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of spore germination could lead to new approaches to prevent C. difficile infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work demonstrated specific roles for CspC and CspA in germination, with ongoing results supporting signal integration by these proteins.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shen, Aimee — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Shen, Aimee
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.