How Fungi That Cause Infections Get Copper
Mechanisms for cellular copper import via secreted cuproproteins
This project looks at how certain fungi, which can cause serious infections in people, gather a vital nutrient called copper to survive and grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Marcos, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124715 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Copper is a necessary nutrient for many living things, including fungi that can make us sick. These fungi have special proteins that help them take in copper from their surroundings, which is crucial for their survival and ability to cause infection. This research aims to understand how these fungal proteins work and how variations in them affect their ability to collect copper. By learning more about these processes, we hope to find new ways to stop these harmful fungi.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant for patients who suffer from fungal infections, as it explores the basic biology of these pathogens.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by fungal infections would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding how these fungi acquire copper could lead to new strategies for developing medicines to treat fungal infections.
How similar studies have performed: This project focuses on a newly identified class of copper-scavenging proteins in fungi, suggesting a novel and relatively unexplored area of research.
Where this research is happening
San Marcos, United States
- Texas State University — San Marcos, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peterson, Ryan Loren — Texas State University
- Study coordinator: Peterson, Ryan Loren
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.