How glucose use by bacteria affects lung immunity in children
Official title: Host immunity in the lung is determined by the enhanced utilization of glucose by multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11001928 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tough-to-treat lung infections from a bacteria called Klebsiella pneumoniae affect the lung health of children who need ventilators, to better understand how these infections can make it harder for their lungs to work properly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $123,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R03HL171434-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001928 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who are dependent on ventilators and at risk of infections from multi-drug resistant bacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not dependent on ventilators or do not have infections caused by multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections impact lung health in children who rely on ventilators. It focuses on understanding the relationship between bacterial glucose utilization and the inflammatory response in the lungs. By examining how these bacteria alter the metabolic environment, the study aims to uncover mechanisms that lead to persistent infections and impaired lung function. The research employs a combination of laboratory experiments and clinical observations to explore these interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for lung infections in vulnerable children, potentially reducing the risk of acute deterioration and death.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that understanding bacterial metabolism can lead to significant insights into infection management, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahn, Danielle — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ahn, Danielle
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: a study in diverse adults
Researchers will look at CT scans and lung tests in older adults to understand different forms of emphysema and how they relate to health outcomes.
-
HPV-based cervical cancer screening and treatment implementation in resource-limited settings
A collaborative project to help doctors in South Africa put HPV-based screening and same-day treatment for cervical cancer into routine care, so more people get fast, effective care.
-
Cervical cancer screening and treatment rollout in resource-poor settings
A team from Columbia and the University of Cape Town is testing how to best implement affordable, same-day HPV-based screen-and-treat for cervical cancer in public health settings.
-
Understanding SCN3A-related Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy and Finding Better Treatments
This NIH grant focuses on how SCN3A gene variants cause developmental epileptic encephalopathy and aims to develop more effective therapies for affected patients.
-
mChoice: Boosting PrEP Use and Adherence for Black and Latino MSM with Tailored Training and Support
A national study to help Black and Latino men who have sex with men start and stick with PrEP through culturally matched provider training and patient support.
-
M-CaRE: Mobile clinics and a smart heart-lung care tool for multimorbidity
A mobile, multilingual tool plus community health workers will help screen and manage high blood pressure and COPD in diverse adult patients, especially in underserved areas.
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.