How gonorrhea grabs metals from the body
Neisseria gonorrhoeae metal transporters that subvert nutritional immunity
This project looks at the proteins gonorrhea uses to take essential metals from human immune proteins so the bacteria can survive and cause infection in people with gonorrhea.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141619 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have gonorrhea, scientists are studying how the bacteria survive inflammation by stealing metals like zinc and iron from your body's immune proteins. In the lab they focus on bacterial outer membrane transporters called TdfH, TdfJ, TdfF and TdfG and test how these proteins pull metals from human proteins such as calprotectin and psoriasin using bacterial cultures, purified human proteins, genetic changes, and structural analyses. The team compares bacteria with and without these transporters to measure growth and resistance to metal-sequestering immune factors. This is pre-clinical laboratory research focused on basic mechanisms, not a treatment trial for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a current gonorrhea infection who can provide clinical samples (for example genital or urine swabs) would be the most relevant participants if sample collection is needed.
Not a fit: People without gonorrhea or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new ways (such as vaccines or drugs) to block gonorrhea's metal uptake and help prevent or treat infections.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies have identified related transporters and shown they help gonorrhea obtain metals, but turning that knowledge into effective vaccines or therapies remains early and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Georgia State University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cornelissen, Cynthia N — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Cornelissen, Cynthia N
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.