How infections change proteins in cells and may lead to cancer
Chemoproteomic discovery and functional characterization of infection-induced oxidation sites
This work looks for specific protein changes caused by infection in stomach cells that could help explain how bacteria like H. pylori raise cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238032 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses chemical probes to find which protein cysteines lose reactivity when human gastric cells are infected with cancer-linked bacteria. Researchers map these infection-induced oxidation sites across the cell proteome to identify proteins whose function changes during infection. Follow-up experiments will test how those oxidized sites affect cell growth, metabolism, and other processes tied to tumor formation. The goal is to reveal molecular signals from infection that could become targets for prevention or therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with current or past stomach infections like H. pylori, or those willing to donate gastric tissue or clinical samples for research, would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are unrelated to infection-driven oxidative changes (for example, cancers driven purely by inherited mutations) are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new molecular targets to prevent or treat cancers caused by infections such as H. pylori-associated gastric cancer.
How similar studies have performed: The chemical proteomic methods have been validated in the lab, but applying them specifically to infection-driven cysteine oxidation in human gastric cells is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hatzios, Stavroula — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Hatzios, Stavroula
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.